To prevent accidental falls in medical facilities, various types of bed-sensors have been produced by the clinical engineering department of our hospital. In this study a newly developed bed-sensor using a pyroelectric type infrared sensor was evaluated. The features of this bed-sensor are that it costs only 4,000 yen and can be installed anywhere on beds. It was found that the pyroelectric type infrared sensor (AMN13112) made by Matsushita Electric Works served our purpose. We test used the new bed-sensor in the for three months in the patient's ward and in the health care facility for the elderly attached to our hospital, as the systems to monitor patients who are attempting to get up, to prevent patients from leaving the bed unattended, and to replace the conventional floor sensor. As a result, it was formed that the new sensor is very usable in these applications and is also excellent in safety. But when the bed-sensor was installed in a wrong position, it was activated as a typicel nurse call system. For practical use, some improvements are necessary in stabilizing detection distance and precise control of sensitivity.
Sensors ; seconds ; Type 1 ; New ; Hospitals

This article describes the end of life of seven people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) under the care of a hospice. The reasons for admission to hospice were for the management of distressing symptoms and the support of families who were unable to continue care at home because of the increased burden of care and/or illness of families. The sufferings experienced by the patients with ALS included disability due to muscle weakness(100%), pain(100%), discomfort (100%), dyspnea (71%), difficulties in communication (71%), drooling (43%), insomnia (43%), loneliness (43%), swallowing difficulties (28%), clenching the mucosa inside the cheek (28%), anxiety (28%), the perception of being a burden to the family (28%), and concerns as to why they had developed ALS (28%). Opioid medication was effective in the management of dyspnea, pain and discomfort. The results showed that special attention should be paid to frequent changing of the patient's position during nursing care, including the passive movement of joints and massage. The use of communication aids was essential to allow people with ALS to communicate effectively and, together with support of joy of the patients and family, the quality of life could be improved. End of life care within a hospice is a useful alternative option for persons with ALS, extending hospice care in Japan from people with advanced cancer to other disease groups. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2): 137-143

In 2018, the OK Project was launched with the aim of sharing with children the essence of spiritual care fostered in hospice and palliative care. The project developed teaching materials, trained certified instructors, and delivered classes. By September 2023, 189 instructors were certified and a total of 720 programs delivered (202 in elementary schools, 88 in junior high schools, 25 in high schools, 78 in universities and vocational schools, and 327 in other schools) with 53,360 participants. Comments from the participants after the classes (freely written) indicated that they found support from their painful experiences, felt relieved after listening to the stories, wanted to be supportive themselves, and wanted to share what they had learned with others. As a follow-up for certified instructors, a place for certified instructors to learn from each other was regularly held online, and an environment was created where they could practice their presentations and provide feedback. OK Project has a potential to contributing to Compassionate Community because children can live in peace while embracing suffering that is difficult to resolve.