Sleepsense: Implementing SleepSense Technology for Hospitalized Older Adults

Sleepsense: Implementing SleepSense Technology for Hospitalized Older Adults

Sleepsense

The team aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of SleepSense® technology in an in-patient subacute geriatric and psychiatric setting. SleepSense® is a non-wearable, unobtrusive sleep monitoring sensor, different from the currently in place visual checks and nursing documentation, which uses a Somnolog. This study will be guided by the Collaborative Action Research framework, ensuring a comprehensive approach.

The findings from this study will provide insight as to whether a sleep sensor placed under the foot of the bed is an effective, objective, and feasible means of sleep monitoring. This study aligns with the VCH collaborative care model to facilitate improved patient care and outcomes and is supported by the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) as part of VCHRI 2023 Team Grant Awards.

Research Design and Progress

The study will be guided by Collaborative Action Research (CAR). It will be conducted in 24 months in 3 phases, between 3 and 4 months each.

  • Phase 1: 16-20 frontline staff and 1-4 patient partners and family partners will be recruited; a pre-intervention focus group to review current sleep monitoring practices and determine gaps in data. Complete ethics application.

  • Phase 2: Industry partner to train frontline staff and demonstrate the use of the Sleepsense bed sensor. Staff huddles of a maximum of 20 minutes, including check-ins and follow-ups from the knowledge translation team.

  • Phase 3: Since March 2024, focusing on the placement of sensors across 16 beds at the STAT Inpatient Unit. This phase is a critical step for data collection, enhanced by our recent approval for digital sensor access in a clinical setting by VCH Data Governance & Policy. We are currently awaiting security assessments for the 16-bed sensors and the assignment of credentials.

    • Awards


    Co-investigator/primary contact: Cromwell G. Acosta, RN, at cromwell.acosta@vch.ca

    Co-investigator: Joanna Lawrence, PT, at joanna.lawrence@vch.ca, or at 604.827.0891

    Co-investigator: Michelle Towell, OT, at michelle.towell@vch.ca, or at 604.362.1823

    Publications

    Knowledge Translation

    Our team actively prepares to upcoming conferences. Abstracts had been submitted to:

    1. The Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP) Annual Scientific Meeting 2024, Vancouver

    2. The Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting 2024, Seattle, WA.

    Research Team Activity

    At our Sleepsense meeting in May 2024, we explored our interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and patient-oriented research using the Sleepsense sensor to enhance care for older adults. Committed to JEDI principles—justice, equity, diversity, inclusiveness—and intercultural inclusivity.