PUP® (Patient Is Up) Smart Sock Technology Prevents Falls Among Hospital Patients With High Fall Risk in a Clinical Trial and Observational Study.

Hospital inpatient falls, especially of older adult patients, can result in injury and death and generate high costs. A new technology, PUP® (Patient Is Up) Smart Socks, combines sensors and geolocation in socks with a wireless platform. To determine whether these socks prevent falls of patients with high fall risk, we performed a clinical trial at one hospital, and an observational study at two other hospitals. In the clinical trial, patients spent 1,694 patient-days wearing the socks, reducing falls from 4 to 0 per 1,000 patient-days (p < 0.01). In the observational study, patients spent 2,286 patient-days wearing the socks, reducing falls from 4 to 1.3 per 1,000 patient-days (p < 0.05). The new technology resulted in a significant reduction in fall rates among patients with high fall risk and may greatly reduce inpatient fall-related injury and death and their associated costs. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(10), 37-43.].