A new artificial intelligence tool is now being used in the NHS as a solution to prevent falls among elderly patients and reduce hospital admissions
With a current 97% accuracy rate in predicting the risk of falls, the new AI technology is expected to save lives, ease the burden on hospitals, and significantly lower healthcare costs.
Protecting elderly health through AI
Developed by health tech provider Cera, this new software is currently used in over two million monthly patient home care visits.
It monitors vital health signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, identifying early warning signs of deterioration in a patient’s health.
By detecting potential risks before they escalate, the system alerts healthcare professionals, enabling them to intervene and provide the necessary care in the community, often preventing hospitalisation.
The AI tool is now integrated into over two-thirds of NHS-integrated care systems nationwide, supporting thousands of elderly and vulnerable individuals at home.
Daily, it generates around 5,000 high-risk alerts, ensuring that healthcare teams can act quickly to reduce the chances of falls and the need for emergency care. Research has shown that using this technology has already led to a 70% reduction in hospitalisations.
Reducing hospital rates in elderly and freeing up the NHS
Falls are a leading cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people. Around 30% of those aged 65 and older, 2.5 million, experience a fall yearly.
The numbers rise’s dramatically for those over 80, with half of them likely to fall annually. These shows not only cause significant physical harm but also put alot of pressure on the NHS. Falls contribute to over four million bed days annually, costing the healthcare system around £2 billion.
Beyond fall prevention
Cera’s AI technology also monitors and identifies early symptoms of seasonal illnesses such as flu, COVID-19, and respiratory infections. By spotting potential issues early, the tool allows healthcare teams to intervene before conditions worsen, reducing the need for hospital care during peak times like winter.
The software operates through an easy-to-use app, allowing carers, family members, and healthcare staff to input patient information and track key health metrics in real-time.
This proactive monitoring allows early detection of health risks, ensuring patients receive timely and targeted care without needing emergency hospital visits. The technology also helps streamline administrative tasks like visit scheduling and care plan management, freeing up valuable time for staff to focus on direct patient care.
Since its successful trial in July 2023, the AI tool has kept thousands of elderly individuals safe and out of hospital. As well as improving patient outcomes, the technology is estimated to save the NHS over £1 million a day by reducing the number of hospital admissions and A&E attendances.
This new AI tool is part of a wider shift towards digital healthcare and community-based care. As the NHS prepares to launch a 10-year Health Plan later this year, the goal is to embrace innovative technologies like AI further, transitioning from traditional hospital-based treatments to a more preventative, community-focused approach.
Not only does the technology offer health benefits, but it also offers an opportunity to reshape how care is delivered, making it more efficient and patient-centred. By supporting elderly individuals in their own homes, the system reduces hospital pressures and enhances patients’ quality of life, helping them maintain independence and dignity.
