Case Study: Atrium Health achieves a 51% drop in unassisted falls and reduced operational costs with Cerner Patient Observer (eSitter)

Virtual observation reduces patient falls, operational costs

Atrium Health implemented a 3-D motion‑tracking, AI‑driven virtual observation system (Cerner Patient Observer, rebranded as eSitter) at its Carolinas Rehabilitation hospitals in October 2016 to address patient falls, high sitter and restraint costs, and the need to better utilize nursing staff while maintaining safety.

The solution lets one technician monitor up to 12 patients, with proactive movement alerts and two‑way audio to redirect patients or summon bedside help. One year after implementation, patients under virtual observation recorded zero falls, the rehab unit’s unassisted falls rate fell 51% (from 4.36 to 2.10), restraint days dropped from 260.46 to 189.91, and Atrium reduced sitter use and labor costs while improving staff productivity; the system is now being piloted in other settings, including pediatrics.

Atrium Health

Walter Broadhurst

Application Specialist