User Evaluation of Technology-Based Interventions Developed to Address Falls in an Inpatient Ward

Preventing inpatient falls remains challenging for healthcare institutions globally, including in Singapore. Integrating technological innovations into fall prevention measures may optimize inpatient care and improve health outcomes. A multiphase study was conducted from 2019 to 2022, employing a human-centred design (HCD) approach to develop a technology-based inpatient fall prevention system (IFPS). The four phases include (1) pre-design observations and focus groups, (2) feature prioritization and wireframe development, (3) prototype testing and safety assessments, and (4) post-design staff training and feedback collection. The developed IFPS integrated artificial intelligence (AI) video analytics for bed-exit prediction with communication devices and autonomous commode delivery to facilitate ward communication and reduce staff workload. This paper describes the development process and user evaluation of the IFPS to assess its operational usability and safety. Potential users of the IFPS, such as ward nurses and patients, suggested features for the IFPS during the pre-design phase and thereafter evaluated the system through focus group discussions and/or feedback surveys. Pre-design focus group participants (n = 24) emphasized durability and user-friendliness requirements, informing system design. When evaluating the system, nurse users (n = 39) perceived the IFPS as effective in reducing falls (65%), enabling them to perform other duties (85%), and allowing them to remain with patients without searching for a commode (64%). Patient users (n = 21) found pre-recorded messages effective (91%), though communication clarity varied. Engaging healthcare workers in IFPS development offered valuable context-based insights, highlighting the importance of addressing technology acceptance factors early to promote adoption of fall prevention technologies in acute care settings.