Fall Alarms Selection Guide All the information you need to optimize your alarm spend.
The Direct Supply Difference Direct Supply Equipment & Furnishings makes equipment selection easy. The right equipment helps you perform at your best and deliver the highest-quality care to your residents. It can also keep your budget healthy. That s why we help you choose the right equipment for your community. With over twenty years of devotion to the Senior Living profession, we have the knowledge to help you make the best decision. This Fall Alarms Selection Guide outlines the key considerations that can help you identify the fall alarm that best serves your staff and residents alarms that will get the job done for the right value. 2
Keep Your Community Safe Comprehensive fall management keeps your residents safe from harm and your community secure from liability. Alarms keep caregivers aware of dangerous situations - but as important as they are, they are only one part of a proactive fall management program. Fall prevention, injury reduction, caregiver awareness and rehabilitation programs are all part of a comprehensive fall management program. Our F-Tag 323 Guide covers everything you need to know about developing such a program, so you can minimize falls, reduce liability, and keep your residents safe and healthy. Request your free copy today at 1-800-634-7328. 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 3
Select the Right Fall Alarm Standardizing & Getting Started Benefits of Standardization An estimated one in three adults age 65 years and older experience a fall each year, many of those resulting in serious injury even death. That s why it s crucial you understand how to best protect residents living in your care. A successful fall management program starts by selecting a standardized set of reliable fall alarms. Because they are most commonly used, standardizing your pad alarms is a good place to start. You can then add specialized alarms to your program. In addition to increasing F-Tag compliance, standardizing on one brand of fall alarms offers numerous benefits: Gives staff more time to provide care Your busy staff has enough to worry about each day! Keeping fall management solutions consistent allows staff to spend more time caring for residents and less time troubleshooting products. Makes training easier Because most brands offer multiple alarm options with similar control layouts, standardization by brand can greatly reduce training time and confusion related to fall alarms. Reduces false alarms and malfunctions Using multiple brands in combination with each other can greatly increase the risk of product malfunction. Relying on one manufacturer ensures that each component was made to work properly with the others. Results in more efficient maintenance Using a consistent brand of fall alarms makes maintenance much easier when it comes to tracking pad and battery life, as well as performing basic alarm repairs. 4
Getting started Once you choose to standardize, its important to select a line or brand that offers alarms with the features your staff and residents need. This guide arms you with the knowledge you ll need to confidently identify the alarms that best protect your residents from injury and keep your community compliant. It is important to understand that all fall alarms offer similar features in different combinations. Understanding each alarm feature is key to identifying the product that fits your needs at the best price point possible. This understanding will also help you avoid paying too much for bells and whistles you don t need. 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 5
Select the Right Fall Alarm Alarm Type Pad Alarms Magnet Alarms Floor Pad Alarms Seat Belt Alarms Infrared Alarms Underseat Alarms 6
Alarm Type Alarms alert your staff when at-risk residents attempt to sit up or stand, allowing caregivers time to respond and prevent a potential fall injury. There are a number of different ways alarms do this. To learn which alarm features are right for your needs, read the detailed descriptions below. Pad Alarms A pressure monitoring system alerts staff when a resident s weight is lifted from the bed or chair pad, by sounding in place or at the nurse s station. These are more dignifying than base magnet clip alarms because the monitor is not attached to the resident s clothing. Floor Pad Alarms Similar to regular pad alarms, floor pad alarms sound when residents exit the bed, and step on the pressure-sensitive pad located at their bedside. These are best for slightly more mobile and independent residents. Infrared Alarms These wireless alarms sound when movement occurs in a monitored area perfect for restless residents. Magnet Alarms When the pull string is disconnected from a magnet alarm, the alarm alerts caregivers of the resident s movement by either sounding in place or at the nurse s station only. These versatile, economical alarms are ideal for keeping low-risk residents safe, or to serve as a great backup for pad alarms. Seat Belt Alarms Seat belt alarms alert you when residents attempt to stand and disengage the nonrestraining seat belt. They also provide positioning support. Underseat Alarms Underseat alarms are mounted under a wheelchair seat out of your resident s reach and monitor the entire seat area to alert staff when a resident stands. 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 7
Select the Right Fall Alarm Noise Control Alarm Delay Multiple Alarm Tones Voice Option Volume Adjustment Nurse Call 8
Noise Control Controlling fall alarm noise is the first step in achieving your ultimate goal increase caregiver awareness of risk event while reducing the institutional feel of your community. Noise control features include: Alarm delay Ideal for residents who are fidgety or more ambulatory. Caregivers can set a 0-2 second delay so that pressure can be removed from pad for up to 2 seconds without setting off the alarm. Volume adjustment Caregivers can increase or decrease the volume of alarm sound with the flick of a switch. Nurse call capability This feature includes an extra jack outlet that allows for call cord accessories to connect the alarm with most hardwired nurse call systems. This gives caregivers the choice to customize how the alarm sounds, providing a more dignified environment for residents. Multiple alarm tones Caregivers can distinguish alarms across multiple residents, floors or wings. Voice option This feature allows caregivers to record a voice message in place of harsh beeping sounds. This option is not ideal for residents who cannot identify and respond to verbal commands. Automatic reset This feature shuts the alarm off as soon as pressure is reapplied to the pad, reducing false alarms. 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 9
Select the Right Fall Alarm Tamper Resistance & Ease of Use On/off Switch Tamper Resistance To ensure that residents do not interfere with alarm operation, alarms include security features such as: On/off switch To prevent residents from turning alarms off with a switch, some alarms are only deactivated by hitting the reset button or taking the battery out. Protective Boot Protective boot Primarily for protecting the alarm from damage, this boot also further encases alarm controls in the battery compartment, so residents are less likely to tamper. Remote reset Requires a push-button remote or magnetic key chain pendant to reset the alarm. This is designed to prevent residents from turning off the alarm themselves. Remote Reset 10
Ease of Use Some features make using and maintaining your alarms a bit more efficient: Low Battery Alert Low battery alert A light or alarm chirp will alert caregivers when alarm battery is near expiration. Low pad life alert Instead of the manual tracking required by standard pads, special pads automatically count down, and send audible or visual alerts when pad life is near expiration. This feature promotes efficient operation and helps caregivers stay compliant with F- Tag 323 by using equipment within manufacturer specifications. Breakaway pad cords Designed to reduce product returns and increase overall efficiency, these include a cord plug that detaches and alerts caregivers when an alarm is kicked or thrown. The cord plug can be reattached for full functionality. Low pad life alert Now that you know what to look for in a fall alarm, you can use the following comparison charts to quickly identify the right model for your needs. If you have any questions, don t hesitate to call us at 1-800-634-7328. And once you ve identified the fall alarms you need, please contact us for a quote. We are happy to help you place the right alarms in your community. Direct Supply makes it easy for you to place your order with delivery and installation services, budget-friendly financing options and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Breakaway Pad Cord 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 11
Alarms Comparison Chart Bed, Chair and Floor Pad Manufacturer Direct Supply Attendant Direct Supply Attendant Direct Supply Attendant Direct Supply Attendant UMP UMP UMP Alarm Economy Alarm Deluxe Alarm Voice Alarm Night Light Alarm Standard Chair Alarm Standard Bed Alarm Deluxe Chair Alarm Type Floor Pad Only Bed Pad Only Only Alarm Delay Volume Adjustment Nurse Call Capability Multiple Alarm Tones Voice Option Automatic Reset On/Off Switch Protective Boot Standard Standard Standard Standard Optional Optional Standard Remote Reset Low Battery Alert Low Pad Life Alert Breakaway Pad Cords Optional Optional Optional Optional 12
Bed, Chair and Floor Pad UMP UMP UMP Alimed Alimed Alimed Alimed Alimed Deluxe Bed Alarm Voice Alarm Deluxe Bed Sentry TR2 Alarms Inert Alert Alarm IQ Duo Alert Alarm Duo Voice Alarm TR Floor Contact Alarm Bed Pad Only Bed Pad Only Pad/Magnet Combo Pad/Magnet Combo Floor Pad Standard Standard Standard Standard 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 13
Alarms Comparison Chart Bed, Chair and Floor Pad Infrared Manufacturer Smart Smart Smart Smart Posey Alimed UMP Alimed Alarm FallGuard Economy Alarm FallGuard Change Pad Indicator Alarm Safety Auto- Reset Monitor Alarm System FallGuard Wireless Alarm Sitter Select Alarm Sensor Cushion Alarm Infrared Bedside Monitor PIR Alarm Type Infrared Infrared Alarm Delay Volume Adjustment Nurse Call Capability Multiple Alarm Tones Voice Option Automatic Reset On/Off Switch Protective Boot Standard Standard Standard Standard Remote Reset Low Battery Alert Low Pad Life Alert Breakaway Pad Cords Optional Optional 14
Magnet Seat Belt Direct Supply Attendant Direct Supply Attendant UMP UMP Smart Safe*t mate Safe*t mate Economy Magnet Alarm Deluxe Magnet Alarm Economy Magnet Alarm Deluxe Magnet Alarm Seat Belt Alarm Seat Belt Alarm Underseat Alarm Magnet Magnet Magnet Magnet Seat Belt Seat Belt Underseat Alarm Standard Standard Optional Optional Standard Standard Optional Optional 1-800-634-7328 directsupply.com 15
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