At a recent employee meeting, I learned that my facility is going to start phasing out personal alarms for residents. (chair & bed alarms, TEDS, etc.) The powers that be want to head off the new regulations that are being passed in my U.S. state that will prevent the use off alarms as a "dignity issue." I can't IMAGINE the number of patients who will be injured from falls if we don't hear the alert of an alarm, warning us that the resident may be in danger! I feel this action has the potential to cause serious injury to the patients; many are suffering from dementia and are unaware that they cannot rise or walk without assistance. From past experience, all I can see resulting from this is an unending parade of fractures, brain injuries, and more..! I am seriously considering finding employment in another facility that makes patient safety a higher priority.
Is this happening all over the globe, just in the U.S, or only in my state?