Transforming Workplace Safety: Staff Duress and Safety with Hospital RTLS Technology

The healthcare industry is known for its dedication and compassion, where individuals in white coats and scrubs tirelessly work to heal and nurture. However, there’s a hidden problem in this noble profession – staff duress. Recent reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveal a stark reality: a staggering 75% of all workplace assaults in the United States occur within healthcare environments. 

Even worse, healthcare professionals bear the brunt of 11% of these incidents. At a time when healthcare should represent a place of care and empathy, these distressing statistics remind us that the industry faces unique challenges. Ensuring the security and well-being of employees is not only a legal and ethical requirement but a fundamental necessity for a productive work environment. In response, hospitals are adopting advanced technology like Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) to tackle these issues head-on. This innovation plays a pivotal role in elevating workplace safety by enabling efficient responses during emergencies.

RTLS technology in healthcare utilizes various positioning techniques, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), among others, to determine the precise location of tagged assets, staff, patients and environmental conditions within a designated area. This next-generation technology equips healthcare professionals with wearable devices, such as badges or tags, that contain location-tracking capabilities in real-time.

In this article, we will explore how hospital RTLS is harnessing its power to address staff duress and subsequently, leading to a new era of safety, security, and peace of mind.

Hospital RTLS Technology to Tackle Staff Duress

Safety is One Button Away

Hospital RTLS provides peace of mind to frontline hospital staff, knowing they are always protected, anywhere within the facility. Hospital staff are equipped with RTLS-enabled Staff Safety Tags, utilizing Bluetooth Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for precise accuracy, that can be attached to their collars or clipped to their clothing. In this way, staff’s sense of safety is increased by notifying security personnel of real-time location in case of an emergency.

Staff/Personnel Tag features a user-configurable panic alert button, which can be customized to activate with specific pressing patterns. In times of duress, for example, when staff are faced with a threatening or emergency situation, they can make an emergency call by pressing the button on their badge tag, enabling a swift and efficient response to the situation.

Once the panic button is pressed, the white code alarm is activated and immediately transmitted to the security personnel with the exact real-time location information of the staff duress incident. RTLS significantly reduces response times by pinpointing the exact location of the distress signal, enabling a more rapid and effective response from responders. Hospital RTLS directs responders to the exact location of distress, allowing for efficient deployment of resources and a well-coordinated response. By implementing Staff Duress & Safety systems, hospitals instill a sense of trust and support among their employees, leading to increased job satisfaction and a reduced turnover rate.

Integrating with Existing Systems

Staff Safety/Security solution with accurate location technology, coupled with a hospital’s existing security infrastructure, such as CCTV cameras and access control systems, provides real-time map views, video management system, immediate alert notifications, and continuous location updates during a duress event. This holistic approach enhances the overall security posture of the facility. This not only expedites response times but ensures that help reaches the right place at the right moment, potentially preventing further escalation.

Meeting Joint Commission Standards

As The Joint Commission highlights, exposure to workplace violence can have serious consequences, negatively impact patient care and create psychological distress for healthcare staff. The ripple effects are profound, leading to job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, high turnover rates, and higher costs. To meet The Joint Commission’s strict rules for tracking and reporting violent incidents and to support the safety of our valuable staff, the RTLS-based Staff Safety systems for healthcare settings are a powerful ally. This technology helps healthcare institutions not only meet but exceed the highest standards, creating an environment where our healthcare heroes can excel, knowing their well-being is a top priority.

A Safer Tomorrow with RTLS Technology

In the demanding realm of healthcare, staff safety is non-negotiable. Redefining staff duress management in healthcare with RTLS is more than a technological advancement; it’s a testament to the industry’s commitment to the well-being of its employees. With hospital RTLS, the healthcare sector takes a significant step forward in creating an environment where both patients and healthcare workers can thrive.