Keeping Healthcare Staff Safe When Budgets Are Tight

Hospitals and healthcare systems across the country are under pressure. Operating costs are up, staffing is down, and legislative funding for security upgrades is either delayed or at risk. Yet, the threats haven’t slowed down. Violence in healthcare settings continues to rise, especially in emergency departments, behavioral health units, and overnight shifts.

The reality is that most organizations simply do not have the budget to implement an all-encompassing safety system overnight. But, that doesn’t mean employees can afford to wait for protection.

Maximize Protection with Budget-Friendly Solutions

When resources are limited, prioritization becomes key. Healthcare leaders already know where the highest risks lie: the emergency room, the intake desk, behavioral health floors, home healthcare, and any area where staff work alone or after hours. This is where a facility’s safety strategy should begin.

If your organization is working within a tight budget, the first step is identifying low-lift, high-impact tools. This means solutions that are easy to deploy, intuitive for staff, and effective in real emergencies.

Computer Panic Buttons: Our computer panic button is a software solution that turns any desktop or laptop into a silent duress button. Staff can activate an alert with a keystroke or mouse click, instantly notifying responders and providing up-to-the-floor and room number accurate location data. No new hardware required, no major rollout needed— just a simple, cost-effective way to give staff a lifeline.

Mobile Safety App: Next, extend protection beyond desks and nursing stations. Our mobile app allows staff to discreetly signal for help from any IOS or Android device, smartwatch, or paired Bluetooth panic button. It includes real-time location tracking, optional audio and video streaming, customizable activation methods, and other resources to keep staff safe and informed.

Next Steps as Resources Become Available

Wall-Mounted Panic Buttons: For public-facing areas such as waiting rooms, lobbies, and intake desks, our wall-mounted buttons provide quick and accessible panic activation. These are ideal for fixed locations with high foot traffic, potential for confrontation, and visitors. They’re durable, easy to use, and provide a blanket layer of protection without overwhelming your budget.

BadgeR+ Wearable Panic Button: For personnel in the most volatile environments like behavioral health units, emergency departments, or night shifts, the BadgeR+ offers a discreet, wearable panic button that allows for instant alerts without needing to reach a phone or workstation, adding a crucial layer of protection for the highest-risk teams.

Emergency Notification System: Finally, as your program grows, an emergency notification system lets you deliver mass alerts across the facility in seconds. Whether you’re managing a lockdown, severe weather, or another critical event, mass notification ensures that staff, patients, and visitors receive instructions and updates without delay.

Scalable Safety is a Smarter Strategy

We’ve worked with healthcare organizations that range from large hospital systems to smaller clinics. Some start with one department, while others phase in multiple tools across several sites. Every facility is different, but what they all have in common is the need to protect their staff even when budgets are limited.

Our system is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure, minimizing costs and offering flexible deployment options. You decide which tools to implement, who will use them, and when to expand. And when funding does become available— whether through grants, capital campaigns, or legislative change— you’re already positioned to scale.

Just as importantly, our platform brings everything together: real-time alerting, mass communication, location awareness, and reporting, all from one centralized system. So even if you start small, your foundation is strong.

Safety Shouldn’t Be Delayed, Even When Budgets Are

When emergencies happen, every second counts. And while economic uncertainty might delay funding, it cannot delay action.

Start with the people who face the highest risk. Give them the tools to call for help instantly and discreetly. Then, when the time is right, expand. With the right system in place, protecting your team doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

If you’re facing tight budgets but want to take meaningful steps toward better safety, schedule a demo with one of our experts today. We’ll help you build a plan that works for where you are now— without losing sight of where you want to go.