Fall-related injuries pose a significant threat to the well-being of older Australians, ranking among the leading causes of hospital-acquired morbidity and mortality (1). No other single cause of injury, not even road trauma, imposes a heavier burden on the healthcare system than falls (2). Patients experiencing these falls endure, on average, an extended hospital stay of 18.8 days compared to those without this complication (3). These statistics underscore the urgency of addressing and reducing falls, especially among the elderly. (4)
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Melbourne – 7 December 2023 – In an initiative to reduce fall-related injuries in Australian healthcare facilities, Olinqua, a leader in hospital automation, proudly announces its strategic collaboration with Vayyar Care, a global leader in remote monitoring based on 4D imaging radar. The partnership, created in response to alarming statistics highlighting falls as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older Australians, represents a crucial step forward in healthcare practices.
“Falls are a longstanding problem in hospitals and aged care facilities. While existing technologies focus on detecting falls after they happen, our mission is to proactively prevent falls,” said Martin Moszczynski, founder of Olinqua.
The integration of Vayyar Care’s cutting-edge technology with Olinqua’s automation solutions enables a smarter, more efficient approach to managing falls, which are among the most common adverse events in hospital and residential aged care.
“The Vayyar Care x Olinqua integration enables hospital and residential aged care staff to receive an immediate notification of a fall or suspected fall on a smartphone, with a graphical representation of the incident and its location on the Olinqua dashboard,” explained Feargal O’Farrell, Vayyar Care’s Director of Sales ANZ.
Vayyar Care sensors gather data that is processed into “point cloud” imaging, providing granular detail of each individual’s behaviour and generating actionable insights into their health, wellbeing and fall risk. This form of imaging respects personal privacy at all times, making the technology ideally suited to bathrooms, where most falls happen.
“This is a game-changer, allowing faster response to falls in aged care. The technology is also essential in high-risk hospital wards – such as post-operative recovery and acquired brain injury – and areas where staff rounds are less frequent, such as mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation units,” O’Farrell added.
Falls extend hospital stays by an average of 18.8 days, increase the risk of functional decline, and frequently result in admission to residential aged care. Vayyar Care’s technology, which does not depend on cameras, wearables, or buttons, enhances patient and resident safety by monitoring fall risk factors such as increased bathroom usage, mobility loss, and changes in sleep patterns.
The partnership aims to disrupt traditional falls management strategies that focus only on detection and treatment. The Vayyar Care and Olinqua teams have integrated real-time location data into an intelligent Olinqua operating system. By harnessing the strengths of both companies, the Vayyar Care and Olinqua collaboration promises to advance innovative solutions for both fall detection and prevention, significantly improving health outcomes and reducing the risk of injuries.
