PUP (Patient is Up) Smart Socks

2022: Doctors started using the system

In late August 2022, researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reported the start of using PUP (Patient is Up) smart socks developed by Palarum. The technology is designed to reduce falls among patients at risk.

The socks contain pressure sensors that alert medical staff as the patient tries to get up. This may include situations such as a patient getting out of bed to go to the toilet. The socks can wirelessly communicate with the system, which then alerts the caregivers closest to the patient so they can arrive and provide care as soon as possible. A recent study found that this system significantly reduced falls in patients at high risk for such incidents.

Doctors start using smart socks warning of possible fall of patients

The fall can lead to serious consequences for frail and vulnerable patients and can often be the beginning of a downward health spiral. It is generally not possible to monitor high-risk patients every minute during the day, but wireless technology is well suited to serve a supporting role in this context. Falls often occur when a high-risk patient tries to get out of bed to go to the toilet, and it is at this time that the presence of a carer to assist can significantly reduce the risk of such incidents. For August 2022, pressure sensors are sometimes used on beds or seats, but they often give false alarms, which leads to anxiety fatigue and a decrease in the effectiveness of such systems.

The PUP (Patient is Up) system is present on the patients and personnel themselves in the form of wireless smart socks with pressure sensors and warning against electronic media worn by medical personnel. Socks alert three nearby carers as the patient tries to get out of bed, then the next three if one of the first three does not appear in the ward within the first 60 seconds, and within 90 seconds the system proceeds to call all staff.^[1]

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