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Ability of hospitalized older adults to use their call bell: a pilot study in a tertiary care teaching hospital

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Abstract

Background and aims: Cognitive impairment, visual loss and decreased mobility may make it difficult for older patients to use a hospital call bell when they need help. Inability to call for help may cause harm that could potentially be modified. Despite the importance of this issue, to date no study has determined the ability of older hospitalized adults to use their call bell. The aim of this study was to determine what percentage of hospitalized patients, aged 70 and older, are capable of using their call bell. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design. Patients were enrolled from two different clinical units in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Subjects participated in a structured interview to determine whether or not they could use the hospital call bell. Results: Thirty-seven patients were interviewed. Of these, eleven patients were unable to use the call bell, seven because it was out of reach and four because they were unaware of how to use it. Only two of the four patients diagnosed with dementia were aware of their hospital call bell, compared with 31 of 33 patients without dementia (p=0.050). Conclusions: The present system of hospital care is based on the assumption that patients are able to get help by activating their call bell. However, a large percentage of hospitalized patients are unable to use this device. Ensuring that call bells are positioned within reach of patients and providing increased supervision to patients with dementia may reduce the rate of adverse events in hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Susan Duffy

  2. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Centre for Health Care of the Elderly, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Laurie Mallery MD, FRCPC, Janet Gordon & Daniel Carver

Authors
  1. Susan Duffy
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  2. Laurie Mallery MD, FRCPC
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  3. Janet Gordon
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  4. Daniel Carver
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurie Mallery MD, FRCPC.

Additional information

Paper presentation: The Canadian Geriatrics Society annual meeting May 30, 2004 [Abstract published in Journal of the Canadian Geriatrics Society 2004; 7(2): 66.]

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Duffy, S., Mallery, L., Gordon, J. et al. Ability of hospitalized older adults to use their call bell: a pilot study in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Aging Clin Exp Res 17, 390–393 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324628

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324628

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