Awareness Isn't Enough— Safer Healthcare Demands Action
Healthcare workers show up daily to help people through their most challenging and vulnerable moments. But increasingly, employees find themselves in harm’s way while simply doing their jobs.
In Pennsylvania, 89% of healthcare workers say they’ve been victims of violence at work, according to a recent survey conducted by WPXI News. More than half of those said they were injured during the violent act.
Nationally, nurses, aides, and home healthcare professionals face some of the highest workplace violence rates in the country, accounting for almost half of all reported incidents in U.S. workplaces despite making up just 10% of the workforce.
After years of campaigning to raise awareness about the issue, many now understand its seriousness. However, with the rate of incidents continuing to remain at staggeringly high levels, the question remains: what are we doing about it, and is it enough?
The Nature of Care Means Some Risk
Healthcare is unique in that workers care for people experiencing pain, grief, fear, or a crisis. In those moments, even the kindest, most well-intentioned people can act out of character— emotions run high, and sometimes, they boil over. This reality means that even the best policies and training cannot prevent every incident.
Many organizations introduce violence prevention training during onboarding or run occasional refresher courses, but without ongoing attention, plans quickly fall behind. High staff turnover, changing patient populations, and new security risks can all outgrow what once seemed like a sufficient plan.
Turning Awareness Into Action
Policies and training are just the start. Real protection comes from an active commitment to continually review, strengthen, and modernize safety strategies– guided by real-world experience. There is no one-size-fits all approach that can adequately address workplace violence in healthcare. Each facility, each role, and each shift presents unique challenges that deserve a custom solution.
At 911Cellular, we’ve seen firsthand how the best results come from utilizing multiple layers of protection, from discreet panic alert options in various locations to mobile apps and integrated communication systems. Each piece should reflect not only the daily demands of the staff members using it, but also what technology they can reasonably access in the moment— and what they can be expected to carry or manage in stressful situations.
Blending people and technology in smarter ways with solutions tailored to your environment and workforce is what truly supports safer outcomes.
Based on our experience deploying safety solutions in healthcare environments, we recommend combining these options to build a well-rounded, flexible system:
Wearable Panic Buttons that can be worn with ID badges or clipped to uniforms allow staff to discreetly call for help anywhere in your facility. These are ideal for high-risk positions or staff who are regularly mobile within a facility and may not have a computer nearby. Our BadgeR+ wearable offers three customizable alerting options, so staff can reach internal security, external first responders, or both based on the emergency. Features like live audio streaming to dispatchers and real-time location tracking help responders stay updated in case the situation moves beyond the initial location.
Computer Panic Buttons bring incident alerting directly to workstations on wheels as well as stationary workstations in reception areas, offices, and nurse huddle stations. With a simple customizable keystroke, staff can instantly notify internal security teams, external emergency responders, or both of an incident. Users also have the option to enable live audio and video streaming from the reporting computer, providing first responders with real-time situational awareness as the event unfolds.
A Mobile Safety App is a great solution for home healthcare workers, giving them a discreet, reliable way to call for help no matter where their job takes them. It also protects staff who are on campus but outside the facility itself, like in parking garages or walking to their cars after hours. Staff can trigger panic alerts using app widgets, the app home screen, a paired Bluetooth button, or even a smartwatch. The app supports live video and audio streaming directly to dispatchers, providing crucial details in real time. Beyond emergencies, non-emergency proactive features help staff identify and report suspicious activity before it escalates. This app is compatible with iOS, Android, and Zebra Technologies devices, ensuring you can deploy it across your entire team, no matter what platform they use.
Wall Mounted Panic Buttons provide a blanket layer of protection in common areas, so visitors or others not equipped with panic buttons are able to quickly call for help with a simple press of a button.
Combining panic alerts with existing security layers, like locked entrances, visitor check-ins, metal detectors, and security cameras ensures that all bases are covered and all possible precautions are taken. But once these tools are in place, they shouldn’t just run in the background forever. Regular testing, staff refreshers, and system upgrades keep protection strong, even as facilities grow or threats evolve.
At 911Cellular, we build tools designed for this reality. Our panic buttons and integrated alert systems help organizations respond faster and keep their teams connected, whether they’re at the nurse’s station, behind a desk, or visiting a patient at home.
Immediate Alerts Make a Difference
Quick response times are already a priority for many healthcare facilities, and partnerships with on-site security or local law enforcement help make that possible. But even with the fastest teams, those first moments matter most.
Equipping staff with tools that deliver instant alerts and real-time location details helps bridge the gap until responders arrive. A well-integrated system does more than sound an alarm: it sends details to the right people, keeps communication open, and clears the path for responders to reach the incident quickly.
Awareness + Action = Protection
While workplace violence may never be eliminated completely, treating it as an inevitable part of care isn’t the solution. Combining continuous training, preventative policies, and tools that staff trust and actually use is how healthcare organizations protect their most valuable asset: their people.
Ready to see how our safety solutions can support your team? Schedule a demo with one of our experts today.
