SAFE – Safe AI-assisted Fall Prevention through Evidence
SAFE is a research project conducted in collaboration that investigates how AI can be used as support in preventive work to reduce the occurrence of falls in healthcare. The project aims to create evidence-based knowledge on the implementation and effects of AI-assisted fall prevention in hospital environments, as well as, together with healthcare staff and patients, develop strategies that promote patient safety, a good work environment, and efficient use of resources.
The research project focuses on a large-scale introduction of AI technology for fall prevention at all hospital administrations in the Västra Götaland region (VGR), starting in 2025. The project includes interviews with staff and patients, observations of healthcare staff at work, surveys of healthcare personnel, and analysis of medical record data. Data collection takes place at predetermined measurement points to follow changes over time. Additionally, two learning labs are conducted to develop strategies that support the implementation of AI-assisted fall prevention.
The project has been designed in collaboration between Halmstad University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital (VGR), the University of Skövde, and the University of Gothenburg. Its clinical relevance is ensured through a steering group consisting of representatives from Sahlgrenska University Hospital as well as researchers from Halmstad University. Two advisory reference groups ensure that both patients’ and staff’s perspectives are taken into account.
The part of the overall SAFE project that focuses on studying work and the work environment, as well as developing strategies to promote a good work environment, is carried out within the framework of the subproject “FallAI: How Artificial Intelligence Affects the Work Environment for Nursing Staff in Hospitals,” which is funded by AFA Insurance. The SAFE project is also co-financed by the KK Foundation and Collaborative Healthcare Research (Vårdforskning i samverkan, VIS).
About the project
Project period
- 2026-01-01–2028-12-31
Project Leader
Other participating researchers
- Thomas Brezicka, Chief Medical Officer, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
- Anna Gyberg, Project Manager for the introduction of movement monitoring, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Post doc, Halmstad University
- Jenny Hallgren, Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Skövde
- Malin Hansson, researcher in healthcare science and health, University of Gothenburg, and research and innovation manager, R&D primary and local healthcare Gothenburg and Southern Bohuslän, Västra Götaland Region
- Ingrid Larsson, Professor of Health and Lifestyle, Halmstad University
- Jens Nygren, Professor of Health Innovation, Halmstad University
- Marcus Rosenburg, Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Halmstad University
- Victoria Sandholm, Research Assistant, Halmstad University
- Petra Svedberg, Professor of Nursing, Halmstad University
- Helle Wijk, Quality Strategy Department, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Professor of Nursing, University of Gothenburg, and Visiting Professor at Chalmers University of Technology
- Kerstin Ulin, Head of Nursing, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Gothenburg
Collaboration partner
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Financier
- AFA försäkringar
- KK Foundation
- Vårdforskning i samverkan (VIS)
