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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification
Published on: April 6, 2020
Implementation Factors for Wearable Fall Injury Mitigation Technology: A Framework for Technology Adoption
Richard G Stefanacci1, Rebecca J Tarbert2, Nicole Hemenover3
1Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objectives:
To identify implementation factors influencing the adoption of wearable fall injury mitigation technology in long-term care (LTC) settings and develop a practical framework for technology implementation success.
Design:
Mixed-methods assessment of a multicenter evaluation examining organizational, staff, and resident factors affecting technology adoption.
Setting And Participants:
Ten LTC facilities implementing the Tango Belt, a wearable airbag device for hip protection during falls. Analysis included 134 intervention participants (mean age 87.3 years, 76% female, 93% with fall history in past year) and comprehensive stakeholder feedback from staff, leadership, residents, and families.
Methods:
Quantitative measures included device adherence rates, training attendance, and implementation metrics. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data obtained through structured interviews and implementation process observations. Factors were categorized as strong, moderate, or weak influences across organizational, staff, and resident domains.
Results:
Overall device adherence averaged 67% with 8.8 hours average daily wear time.1 Three core implementation principles emerged: (1) organizational readiness and environmental culture, including progressive atmosphere and leadership support; (2) staff competency and engagement, emphasizing communication skills and technology acceptance; and (3) resident acceptance and motivation, particularly technology mindset and safety motivation. Facilities demonstrating these factors showed significantly higher adoption rates and sustained engagement.
Conclusions And Implications:
Successful technology implementation in LTC requires comprehensive assessment across organizational, staff, and resident domains. The framework developed provides clinical leadership with practical tools for evaluating implementation readiness and targeting interventions. These findings extend beyond fall prevention technology to inform broader health care innovation adoption in LTC settings, supporting the quadruple aim through enhanced resident experience, improved population health outcomes, reduced costs, and decreased caregiver burden.
