“I’ve been bitten, kicked, punched, pushed, pinched, shoved, scratched, and spat upon,” said Lisa Tenney, RN and patient safety coordinator, to The Joint Commission earlier this year. “I have been bullied and called very ugly names. I’ve had my life, the life of my unborn child and other family members threatened, requiring security escort to my car.”
Tenney’s account reflects growing violence in healthcare settings, a problem The Joint Commission says is underreported and increasingly common. As threats grow, so do federal mandates for patient safety and emergency preparedness measures in healthcare facilities.
Below we highlight five common issues healthcare leaders face, and tools that help you prevent or resolve those issues faster.
Chances are your facility already has many of the tools listed below, and you could increase their capabilities or uses without a hefty investment.
Which of these challenges resonate with you?
>> PROBLEM 1
Inability to reach any/all audiences instantly, discreetly and in compliance with HIPAA, no matter where they are or what they’re doing. (Intended recipients may include staff, patients, visitors, vendors, contractors, first responders, media, etc.)
Applications:
Emergencies, cancellations, malfunctions, special events, deadlines, traffic/construction alerts, weather alerts, and more.
Solution:
Pre-programmed alerts deployed with just a click or two, in various formats and vehicles.
Tools:
- PC Alert
- Mobile App
- SMS & Pager Integration
- Unified Communications & Voice Integration
>> PROBLEM 2
Poor patient experience and satisfaction (HCAHPS) scores.
Applications:
Staffing issues, wait times, delayed response to nurse call button, slow room turnover, mobility issues, noise levels.
Solution:
Pre-programmable, automated alerts, including visual formats to reduce noise levels.
Tools:
- Mobile App
- PC Alert
- SMS & Pager Integration
- Unified Communications & Phone/Voice Integration
- LED Signage
- Visual PA
- Wireless Panic Button
- Noise Level Monitoring
>> PROBLEM 3
Difficulty reaching special needs audiences (e.g., hearing/vision impaired, non-English speakers) in an instant.
Applications:
Delivering time-sensitive instructions to audiences who may not see, hear or understand some communications formats.
Solution:
Pre-programmed multimedia alerts, issued simultaneously in various formats.
Tools:
- Audio Public Address
- LED Signage & Visual PA
- Video Display, Digital Signage, Video Paging
- Unified Communications & Voice Integration
- Custom Solutions
>> PROBLEM 4
Delays in deploying first responders to exactly where they’re needed.
Applications:
Fire, active shooter, suspicious activities, natural/tech/man-made disasters, other high-risk scenarios.
Solution:
Centralize monitoring of live security cameras and building maps, all integrated with the ability to notify and send actionable intel to first responders.
Tools:
- Fire Panel Integration
- Security Camera Integration
- Live Security Camera View
- Real-Time Building Map
- Door & Card Access Integration
- Audio Paging Integration
- Mobile App
- Software that integrates all of the above via a single dashboard
>> PROBLEM 5
Budget constraints prevent you from upgrading subpar/outdated emergency and routine communications tools.
Applications:
Emergency prevention and response, plus daily communications to facilitate routine operations and patient care.
Solution:
(1) Justify new technology as emergency management and regulatory compliance expenses; (2) invest in a software solution that integrates and augments equipment you already have.
Tools:
- Software solution to integrate all communications technologies
- PC alert
- LED Signage, Visual PA
- Video Display, Digital Signage, Video Paging
As you examine gaps in patient safety and compliance in your facility, notethe same emergency management and mass notification technologies that help you minimize loss in a crisis can also improve daily operations, patient and caregiver experiences, benefitting multiple hospital departments and objectives.
>> Need a printable cheat sheet for these and more scenarios? Get it right here.
