Protecting Those Who Care: Why Integrated Duress is the New Standard in Healthcare
In the fast-paced environment of aged care and acute health, we often focus on the safety and well-being of the residents and patients. But there is a silent, growing concern that facility managers can no longer afford to ignore: the safety of the staff.
Healthcare workers and lone workers are increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable situations.
At Xacom, we believe that staff safety should never be an "add-on" or an afterthought. That’s why our Nurse Call systems don't just facilitate patient care; they come with a sophisticated, built-in Duress and Panic system designed to protect your most valuable asset: your people.
The Hidden Risks of Lone Working
In many Australian facilities, staff members often find themselves working in isolation - attending to residents in private rooms, navigating expansive grounds at night, or managing high needs wings with minimal immediate backup.
A traditional wall-mounted nurse call button is useless if a staff member is cornered or incapacitated. Without a mobile, wearable solution, a "lone worker" is a worker at risk. This is where the integration of RTLS (Real-Time Location Services) and smart pendants transforms a standard facility into a secure environment.
Follow Me Alerts: Dynamic Safety for a Mobile Workforce
Static duress systems have a fatal flaw: they tell you who is in trouble, but they don't always tell you where they are if they are moving.
Xacom’s integrated system features Follow-Me Alerts. When a staff member activates their wearable pendant:
- Instant Activation: An emergency signal is sent immediately to the central system.
- Live Tracking: If the staff member moves, perhaps retreating from a threat or being moved during an incident, the alert updates in real-time.
- Continuous Updates: Responders aren't sent to the last known location; they are guided directly to the staff member's current position.
This eliminates the "search time" that often plagues emergency responses, ensuring help arrives in seconds, not minutes.
Precision Protection with RTLS and Smart Pendants
The backbone of our duress solution is our RTLS-enabled Nurse Call Pendants. These aren't your grandfather’s pagers. They are high-precision devices that integrate seamlessly into the wider facility infrastructure.
How it Works:
- Room-Level Accuracy: Using a combination of BlueTooth and Infrared (IR), our RTLS can pinpoint a staff member’s location down to the specific room or corridor.
- Discrete Activation: Pendants are designed for ease of use under pressure. A simple press triggers a high-priority alarm that bypasses standard non-urgent calls.
- Smart Escalation: If the alarm isn’t answered within a couple minutes or seconds the entire facility or police can be notified.
Why Integration Matters
Many facilities make the mistake of running two separate systems: one for nurse calls and one for security/duress. This creates "siloed" data and increased hardware costs.
By choosing a Xacom system with built-in duress, you benefit from:
- Simplified Training: Staff only need to learn one interface and carry one device.
- Lower Maintenance: One unified platform means fewer points of failure and streamlined technical support.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Every incident is logged. You can review response times and movement patterns to better audit your safety protocols and meet Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements.
Staff Safety is a Priority, Not a Choice
As the healthcare landscape evolves, so do the risks. Providing your team with a Xacom pendant isn't just about meeting a compliance checklist; it’s a powerful statement that you value their safety. When staff feel secure, they provide better care. They are more focused, less stressed, and more likely to remain loyal to your facility.
In a world where "lone worker" incidents are on the rise, having a system that provides Follow-Me Alerts and RTLS precision is the ultimate insurance policy.
Ready to Upgrade Your Facility’s Safety?
Don't wait for a "near miss" to realise your staff are vulnerable. Secure your facility with a communication system that watches over those who do the watching.
Fill out the form below and one of our Duress and Nurse Call experts will reach out!