Caregivers Want to Provide Compassionate Care, But Also Feel Safe

As we wrap up our series on hospital communications challenges, we have previously covered how patient and visitor safety is ensured during the normal flow of hospital operations and when disaster strikes through an integrated system of technologies and devices. In this post, we will discuss how technology can provide an added layer of safety for caregivers that may be exposed to a duress situation.

Healthcare is one of the most rewarding industries to work in; nurses and staff enjoy the care and compassion they provide for their patients. However, it is not uncommon to have a situation where a patient can become violent toward a caregiver and put everyone involved at risk of injury or worse. A 2011 study conducted by the Emergency Nurse’s Association found:

13% of Emergency Department nurses experienced physical violence in the past 7 days.
98% of assaults were perpetrated by patients.
74% of nurses say their hospitals offered no response.
Physical violence rates were lower in Emergency Departments with panic buttons.

Our partner, Midmark, offers a solution as part of their Visibility Suites™ package that focuses on real-time location system (RTLS) technology called Staff Assist. The caregiver will wear a Versus badge with a built-in panic button. When the caregiver presses the button in a duress situation, a popup message is automatically displayed at the nurse’s station and/or security station, noting the caregiver’s location.  The enhanced Staff Assist package also provides the ability to send a message via the facility’s paging system, to mobile phones, or to initiate a relay closure which would trigger alarm lights.

The Staff Assist feature can also be used simply to call for assistance, such as when a caregiver needs help lifting a patient.  A physician can also call a staff member for information or equipment while attending and maintaining focus on the patient.

Hospitals want everyone to feel safe and secure, regardless of role, as they utilize, work, and interact with their facilities and services, and recognize that those that provide care to others deserve the same level of safety as everyone else.  Gallaher is proud to be a technology solutions integrator that provides hospitals in our region with life safety technology that helps achieve their facility communications and disaster preparedness goals.

Contact us today at https://gallahersafe.comcontact-us  for more information on our healthcare and life safety technology solutions.



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