80% of Nurses Face Violence At Work—Hospitals Turn to Portable Panic Buttons for Safety

​In response to recent increases in workplace violence across the country, hospitals nationwide are taking steps to enhance staff safety. In fact, National Nurses United found over 80% of nurses experienced verbal or physical violence on the job in 2023. One such measure to reduce this violence is the implementation of portable panic button systems, allowing nurses to quickly summon help during emergencies.​

Recent “Panic Button” Implementations at Hospitals:

Several hospitals across the United States have publicly disclosed investments in portable panic buttons to enhance the safety of their nursing staff:

• Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, announced in December 2024 that they would be providing personal panic alarms to all employees.
• Bassett Healthcare Network implemented the Strongline Staff Safety System in June 2021, becoming the first health system in the nation to provide Bluetooth-based duress alerting devices to every employee.
• BeWell, a behavioral and addiction center in Philadelphia, partnered with ROAR for Good to implement AlwaysOn wearable panic buttons. After one year of implementation, they reported a 39% decrease in violent incidents and a 20% increase in employee satisfaction with workplace safety.
• Exempla St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, along with several other facilities, launched the Radius Enterprise Mobile Duress (EMD) system from Inovonics in 2022.
• Cox Medical Center Branson in Missouri installed a security system that includes wearable emergency buttons after experiencing a tripling of patient assaults between 2019 and 2020.

These implementations reflect a growing trend in healthcare facilities to address workplace violence and ensure the safety of nursing staff. The adoption of portable panic buttons is seen as an essential step in providing immediate assistance and reducing the risk of violent incidents in healthcare settings.

Cutting-Edge Wearable Communication Devices

Some additional examples of these new devices’ functionality include:

• Stryker’s Sync Badge is a hands-free wearable communication device that allows security personnel to instantly access crucial information when the button is activated, including the staff member's name and location. Additionally, the system enables security to hear what's happening in real-time and communicate directly with the nurse if possible, ensuring a rapid and informed response to potential threats.
• MCA’s Rave AppArmor safeguards nurses working outside the hospital environment with a safety timer and emergency alert, ensuring that help can be summoned quickly even when nurses are not within the confines of the hospital.
• Silent Beacon’s panic button offers direct 911 calls with two-way communication capabilities.
• Baxter’s Voalte Linq integrates with existing Voalte Nurse Call systems and introduces voice-activated duress workflows. Nurses can initiate emergency protocols either through voice commands or by pressing a configurable button, providing flexibility in how they can call for assistance during critical moments.

The introduction of these sophisticated wearable devices marks a significant step forward in protecting healthcare workers. By combining communication capabilities with emergency alert functions, hospitals can provide their staff with a comprehensive safety tool that is always within reach, regardless of their location.

Panic Buttons and Privacy: Are Nurses Being Tracked at Work?

The implementation of wearable panic buttons for nurses raises several privacy concerns for nurses and patients:

• Patient confidentiality: There are concerns about how the data collected by these systems might be used or accessed, potentially compromising patient confidentiality and HIPAA rules.
• Patient Consent: Patients may not be fully aware of, or have not consented to, the use of such technology in their vicinity, raising ethical questions about informed consent.
• Location tracking: Some panic button systems use real-time locating systems (RTLS) that continuously track staff throughout their shifts, which can make nurses feel their privacy is being infringed upon.
• Data collection and usage: The use of GPS tracking and data collection can raise concerns among staff about how their personal information is being used and stored.
• Constant surveillance: Nurses may feel they are under constant surveillance, which can lead to discomfort and stress in the workplace.
• Potential misuse of data: There are concerns about how the collected data might be used by employers, potentially for purposes beyond safety, such as monitoring work patterns or productivity.
• Employee resistance: Research shows that hospital staff who express personal privacy concerns about RTLS are less likely to adopt and implement the technology effectively. In some cases, clinical staff have even sabotaged their equipment due to privacy concerns.

Considerations for Hospital Implementations:

Technology alone won’t keep nurses safe—how it’s introduced and used makes all the difference. For hospitals investing in portable panic buttons, implementations should include:

• Comprehensive Training: Ensuring that all staff members are trained to use the devices effectively is crucial for the system's success.​
• System Integration: Panic buttons should integrate seamlessly with existing hospital communication and security systems for optimal efficiency.​
• Continuous Evaluation: Regular assessments and updates to the system are necessary to address emerging safety challenges and technological advancements.

The Future of Nurse Safety: A Step in the Right Direction

The investment in portable panic buttons reflects a growing awareness of the safety challenges and risks faced by nurses and other healthcare workers every single day. And though panic buttons may be a crucial step in addressing workplace violence, they are just one piece of a larger effort to protect nurses. Hospitals must continue to refine safety protocols, invest in staff training, and ensure security measures evolve alongside emerging threats.

By prioritizing nurse safety, healthcare facilities not only protect their staff but also improve patient care and overall workplace morale. As more hospitals adopt these technologies, the hope is that nurses can focus on what they do best—caring for patients—without fearing for their own well-being.

🤔Nurses: do you wear a panic button at your hospital? Would you wear one? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.