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Duress badge system helps staff thwart violent attacks at UMHS

Within the first week of use, the badges helped security teams at the Michigan health system quickly stop more than a dozen dangerous incidents. That's a big safety improvement for nurses and other staff, compared to its previous phone-based process.
By Bill Siwicki , Managing Editor
Chris Nemets, RN, of the University of Michigan Health Sparrow and West

Chris Nemets, RN, regional chief nursing informatics officer at the University of Michigan Health Sparrow and West health system

Photo: Chris Nemets, RN

Team members at the University of Michigan Health Sparrow and West health system, like at many similar sites across the U.S.,  are facing a troubling ongoing crisis of workplace violence, with staff experiencing assaults at an alarmingly high rate.

THE CHALLENGE

Recognizing the paramount importance of team member safety, leaders at UMHS determined that a significant technological gap existed that was leaving staff vulnerable in high-risk areas like patient rooms. 

In those enclosed environments, health professionals often lack immediate access to emergency assistance. The inability to call for help instantly puts team members in precarious situations and contributes to a hostile and unsafe working environment.

"Without real-time personal alert systems, our team members work without some essential protection," said Chris Nemets, RN, regional chief nursing informatics officer at the health system. "This not only impacts team member safety, but undercuts team member well-being, retention and morale – creating a vicious cycle of under-reporting and burnout.

"Addressing this issue with effective, accessible technology is essential for fulfilling the institution's commitment to team member safety and ensuring a secure environment for all team members," she added.

PROPOSAL

Health system staff set out on a search to find a technology to address the rising crisis of workplace violence, with a goal of finding a simple and easy wearable device. That led them to vendor Canopy.

"It offers a powerful safety system that works seamlessly across many locations," she explained. "When a team member is in an unsafe situation, they can just press the button and the wearable instantly sends an alert to their coworkers, security teams and even the police.

"With a plug-and-play design, there is minimal learning curve, making it simple for everyone to use right away," she continued. "Plus, the individual buttons have a long, seven-year battery life, which means these devices work reliably without the burden of daily charging or maintenance worries. This focus on simplicity ensures that getting help is always fast and easy."

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

In the pre-implementation phase, the focus was on developing a duress system that was both low-friction and consistently available for staff members.

"We selected a slim, discreet duress button, designed to fit behind a team member's standard-issue badge," Nemets explained. "This design decision, combined with the device's extended battery life, ensures 'set-it-and-forget-it' peace of mind for our team members' experience. Once the device was associated with a team member, they did not have to remember to carry a separate unit, thereby guaranteeing it would always be on their person and ready for use.

"The initial rollout targeted the nine areas of our main hospital with the highest incidence of workplace violence, with participation invited, not mandated, for all clinical and non-clinical staff," she continued. "The team's positive reception was driven by the system's expansive coverage, which extends beyond the hospital interior to include critical outdoor areas like parking lots."

This feature, along with the ability to route alert notifications to personal mobile phones via text message, provides a reassuring layer of security, she added.

RESULTS

The newly implemented duress badge system delivered immediate results in the main emergency department.

"Just an hour and a half after deployment, a nurse used the badge to summon security during a violent incident, with the team responding in under 45 seconds," Nemets reported. "This represents a major efficiency gain over the previous phone call process.

"During the first six days, the badges were used in 18 incidents: 14 were managed by security, one was resolved before security arrived, and three were false alarms," she added. "The program also saw widespread acceptance among staff, with more than 1,400 badges deployed and only eight staff members opting out."

ADVICE FOR OTHERS

Don't just buy a new duress system and give it to staff: Bring nurses and other team members into the conversation from the very start, Nemets advised. Ask them what works, what doesn't and what would make them feel safer, she said.

"In moments of stress, complexity hinders action," she noted. "Look for systems that are easy and straightforward to use – like a quick double press of a button to rally support. I am sure you will find this makes it less daunting for team members, and more likely they will use it.

"And if it's built tough enough to handle daily hospital life, they'll trust it more," she concluded. "This process will make your employees feel heard and protected, leading to a better, more reliable system for everyone."

Follow Bill's health IT coverage on LinkedIn: Bill Siwicki
Email him: bsiwicki@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.

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