Understanding the Surge in Healthcare Violence
In a recent statement, Prof. Nicola Ranger; the chief nurse at the Royal College of Nursing, issued a serious alert regarding a troubling development: a notable increase in violence directed at nurses within the National Health Service, as per The Guardian’s report. The frustration among patients due to NHS delays, compounded by the aftermath of the pandemic, is fuelling alarming levels of aggressive behavior toward frontline healthcare workers. Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) – the NHS trust that runs the Queen’s Medical Centre, and its sister City hospital recorded 1,237 incidents of aggression, violence, and harassment in 2021-22. A statistic that has continued to grow with another 1,167 incidents recorded during the first 6 months of 2023. Violence, both verbal and physical, is a prevalent issue in numerous healthcare professions. For instance, the London ambulance service noted a 39% surge in violence against its staff, and the Royal College of Nursing shared alarms about unprecedented levels of aggression towards nurses, leading some to consider leaving their profession. This troubling pattern not only threatens the safety of nurses and frontline workers but also intensifies staff shortages, ultimately compromising patient care which is a huge societal risk. Many have tried providing solutions to this crisis, with varying functionality and efficiency tackling the problem in different ways.
Healthcare Panic Buttons for instant distress signaling
As the creators of the first Smart Button, we’ve talked to numerous healthcare facilities and safety solution providers and together created great solutions that address this problem. Thanks to 10 years of software and hardware development, these tiny and high-performing Bluetooth devices can easily be linked with safety apps or services, functioning as instant one-push emergency alerts that inform others during crises without the need to use their phone. Flic has partnered extensively with businesses across various industries, especially in Personal Safety and Healthcare. Throughout these processes, we’ve been able to distinguish that the buttons’ small size and seamless integration to any system make them very suitable and reliable solutions for healthcare facilities and safety solutions. Below you will find examples of such solutions we’ve created together with some of our partners.
1. Safety Alerts for Healthcare & Lone Workers in Australia
Australia’s 1st lone worker app WorkSafe Guardian, partnered with Flic to create a safety alert button fully integrated with the WSG app, allowing easy and quick communication without the need to use a phone. The buttons have been programmed to control a welfare timer with one and a double Push, as well as activating a safety alert by Press & Hold. Moreover, thanks to the rigid metal clip that Flic provides, users have easy access to the button since they can put it on their uniforms.
2. Healthcare Emergency Alarm Button
MultiBel provides an emergency notification system used by over 3,000 organizations worldwide. Paired with Flic buttons, caretakers benefit immensely; doctors, nurses, and staff can instantly alert security or emergency response teams with a single push, ensuring rapid assistance without disrupting their critical tasks.
3. Panic Buttons for the Elderly
Apart from healthcare professionals, the elderly often encounter situations where they require immediate assistance. Persafe, in collaboration with Flic, offers an innovative solution to empower the elderly to call for help swiftly and efficiently. These compact and user-friendly devices bridge the gap between the elderly and emergency services, ensuring a rapid response when time is of the essence.
We recognize the urgent need for effective solutions amid rising violence. Join us in our mission to make healthcare safer for all. Drawing on Flic’s decade-long expertise and innovative tools, we strive to create a safer environment for healthcare professionals and patients alike. Together, let’s ensure that every individual receives the care they deserve without fear or compromise.