Wandering is a common problem among patients and residents in healthcare settings, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Wandering can be defined as aimless movement within a healthcare facility where the patient/resident may be disoriented, confused, and unaware of their surroundings. The impact of wandering is significant, not only on the patient/resident, but also on healthcare staff and other patients/residents.

In this blog, we will explore the impact of wandering on healthcare staff and patients/residents and how technology solutions offered by Symtech Solutions, a life safety communication systems provider, can help your healthcare organization in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia address this issue. Get started today.

Impact on Healthcare Staff

Wandering can have a significant impact on healthcare staff, particularly those who are responsible for caring for the wandering patient/residents. Wandering patients/residents can be challenging to manage, particularly in high-stress environments like dimentia wings or behavioral health units.

The impact of caring for a wandering patient/resident can be both physical and emotional. Staff may need to devote a significant amount of time and energy to keeping the patient safe, which can be physically taxing. Wander management systems allow individuals to roam more freely.

In addition, wandering patients/residents can disrupt the workflow of a healthcare unit. Caregivers may need to constantly monitor patients, which can distract them from other important tasks. Staff may need to frequently rearrange furniture or reorient the patient to their surroundings, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Impact on Patients/Residents

Wandering can also have significant impacts on other patients/residents in the healthcare unit. For example, wandering patients/residents may enter other patients'/residents' rooms uninvited, which can be alarming and intrusive. Wandering patients/residents may also become agitated or confused, which can disrupt the overall atmosphere of the unit and cause other patients to become anxious or upset.

In addition, wandering patients/residents may be at risk of falls, particularly if they are disoriented or confused. Falls can cause serious injuries, such as broken bones or head trauma, and can increase the patient's/resident's length of stay in the hospital.

Overall, the impact of wandering on healthcare staff and patients/residents can be significant, but help is available. Wandering solutions offered by Symtech Solutions can assist healthcare organizations in managing wandering patients/residents and minimizing the negative impacts on staff and other patients/residents.

Solution from Symtech Solutions

Symtech Solutions provides advanced wander management solutions that can help healthcare organizations manage at-risk patients/residents effectively. Our wireless tracking technology is designed to work in a hospital or healthcare facility setting, enabling caregivers to passively monitor patients/residents.

The wearable fitbit style band is non-invasive and allows wandering patients/residents to move about freely while still being monitored by healthcare staff.

When the system detects that a wandering patient/residents has moved beyond a predefined boundary, it generates an alert that is sent to caregivers, notifying them of the patient's/resident's location.   It has the ability to integrate with door access hardware.  Staff and patients/residents not wearing wanders are able to enter and exit protected doors without placing an alarm.

The solutions from Symtech Solutions can improve the safety and care of wandering patients/residents while also reducing the burden on healthcare staff. With Symtech's wander management technology, caregivers are notified when a patient/resident is loitering or has breached a protected door.  This provides peace of mind to both staff and family.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY

Wandering is a significant problem in healthcare settings that can have major impacts on both staff and patients/residents. Healthcare organizations are tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of all patients, including wandering patients/residents. Wander management solutions like those provided by Symtech Solutions can help healthcare organizations manage wandering patients/residents effectively while minimizing the negative impacts on staff and other patients/residents.

By leveraging Symtech's wireless tracking technology, healthcare organizations can provide wandering patients/residents with greater freedom while still ensuring that they are monitored and safe. This technology can improve patient/residents outcomes, reduce the use of physical restraints, and provide caregivers with the tools they need to manage wandering patients/residents effectively. With the help of Symtech Solutions, healthcare organizations can provide a safer and more effective care environment for all their patients/residents. And, our wandering solutions can be integrated seamlessly into your current life safety communication systems, making adoption easy. Schedule your free consultation today!