The Shift from Fall Prevention to Fracture Prevention: A New Approach in Healthcare

At healthcare trade shows worldwide, the concept of fall prevention dominates discussions. Institutions dedicate substantial financial and logistical resources to strategies aimed at reducing the number of patient falls, as the impact of falls is particularly severe within healthcare institutions. Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older, with one in four older adults reporting a fall each year, resulting in over 14 million falls annually. This issue is further underscored by 38,000 deaths from falls in 2021 and 3 million emergency department visits due to fall-related injuries. However, reports from healthcare facilities in Japan reveal a concerning reality—despite extensive efforts, fall prevention measures have only resulted in a marginal 0.3% reduction in falls. Conversations with administrators around the globe echo this disappointing trend, leading to a stark revelation: fall prevention simply isn’t effective.

Recognizing the shortcomings of existing strategies, Japan is pioneering a paradigm shift from fall prevention to fracture prevention. This transformative approach began with Hiroshi Shimomura, the founder of Magic Shields. With a background as a lead engineer at Yamaha Motocross Racing, Shimomura specialized in safety innovations for motorcycles, including the development of metamaterial structures to absorb impact. His focus shifted to healthcare after his grandmother suffered a fracture from a fall, prompting him to engineer a solution that would provide effective impact reduction while maintaining stability and eliminating trip hazards.

From this moment, Magic Shields emerged, offering a thin yet highly effective flooring solution—just 10mm thick—to prevent fractures. Healthcare facilities implementing these solutions can choose between wall-to-wall flooring for new construction and remodels or mat installations for existing buildings. Both versions eliminate trip hazards by featuring sloped edges starting at 0mm and rising to 10mm, ensuring smooth transitions. The firm surface promotes user confidence, providing stability for individuals using wheelchairs or walkers.

Today, Magic Shields is Japan’s leading manufacturer in fracture prevention, spearheading the nation’s shift toward this innovative strategy. With over 1000 healthcare clients, the company’s impact is undeniable. After completing a survey of 100 facilities utilizing the Magic Shields mat, there was only one fracture documented. One study conducted in Hiroshima over one year and four months evaluated 11 hospitals with 230 deployed mats. The results were striking:there were 2,418 falls in rooms without the mats, leading to 93 fractures, while 193 falls occurred on the Magic Shields mats—resulting in ZERO fractures.

Given the overwhelming success of fracture prevention compared to traditional fall prevention methods, more healthcare providers around the world are embracing this logical transition. Magic Shields products are now warehoused in North Carolina, continuing their mission to revolutionize fall-related injury prevention. To learn more, visit www.magicshieldsusa.com or www.magicshields.co.jp and discover how this groundbreaking shift can make a real difference.

Doug McNeill, VP of Global Sales, Magic Shields, doug.mcneill@magicshields.co.jp