Supporting Frontline Workers: The Role of Safety Solutions in Modern Healthcare Facilities

The Irish healthcare system is at a critical juncture, with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and other healthcare unions preparing to ballot members for industrial action. This development follows a month of ongoing protests and growing frustration among healthcare workers, largely over staffing shortages and deteriorating working conditions.

Here John McSwiggan, Sales Engineer for Pinpoint Ireland, explores the current challenges facing healthcare workers and examines how innovative safety solutions can improve staff morale and workplace safety.

Staffing Shortages and Deteriorating Conditions

At the core of the issue is a severe staffing shortage, exacerbated by recent Health Service Executive (HSE) policies. The INMO reports that crucial nursing positions in specialised areas such as cancer care, palliative care, paediatrics, and rehabilitation remain unfilled. This shortage is not a sudden occurrence but the result of years of underinvestment and insufficient workforce planning. The HSE’s “Pay and Numbers Strategy” has drawn sharp criticism from unions, who view it as an all but confirmed freeze on recruitment. While the HSE asserts that staffing levels have increased, the experiences of frontline workers tell a different story.

Impact on Healthcare Workers

The impact of these staffing shortages is significant and far-reaching. Nurses and midwives are frequently required to work on their days off and stay for extended unpaid periods after shifts. This unsustainable workload is contributing to burnout among healthcare professionals. The Practitioner Health Matters Programme (PHMP) revealed that 2023 saw a 48% increase in healthcare workers presenting to the service. According to the report, the most predominant concerns were anxiety, depression, and burnout. Research has shown that this can have severe consequences on patient safety with studies showing a significant association between burnout and patient safety [Hall LH, Johnson J, Watt I, Tsipa A, O’Connor DB (2016)].

Staff shortages not only directly impact patient care but also lead to longer wait times and reduced services.This often causes deep frustration for patients and their families, which can escalate into threats of violence and, in some cases, physical attacks on healthcare workers.

In response, the INMO and other unions have taken action. A series of lunchtime protests were staged nationwide to highlight the staffing crisis, and unions are now balloting their members for potential industrial action, emphasising the gravity of the situation.

As Ireland’s healthcare system faces these challenges, the INMO protests and potential industrial action serve as a critical wake-up call. In navigating this crisis, the HSE must recognise the importance of supporting current staff, especially during this apparent employment freeze. Implementing systems and processes to ensure that healthcare workers feel valued and supported is essential as demand for the healthcare system continues to grow.

A resulting rise in violence against healthcare workers

The rising tide of violence against healthcare workers has become an alarming concern, with significant implications for the HSE and the overall healthcare system. This troubling trend not only jeopardises the well-being of frontline workers but also strains an already burdened healthcare infrastructure.

Recent statistics paint a worrying picture of the situation. According to the INMO, over 4,000 nurses and midwives were assaulted in the workplace during a 13-month period from January 2023 to February 2024. These assaults ranged from verbal to physical and sexual in nature. Even more concerning is that many incidents likely go unreported.

The surge in violence against healthcare workers can be traced to several key factors, one of which is the fluctuation in staffing levels. This instability often leads to high-pressure situations, especially when healthcare staff are dealing with patients and families already under emotional strain. Prolonged wait times and delays in care further fuel frustration, which in many cases escalates into hostile behaviour directed at nursing staff.

Impact of Violence on Healthcare Staff

The impact of this violence on healthcare workers is profound and multifaceted. Beyond the immediate physical harm, these incidents take a severe toll on mental health and overall well-being. The ripple effects of violence against healthcare workers extend far beyond individual incidents. It erodes workplace morale, increases stress-related sick leave, and ultimately contributes to staff turnover. Many nurses are now citing work-life balance as their primary reason for leaving the profession, rather than retirement – a significant shift from previous years.

In England alone, last year, the NHS witnessed a staggering 1.68 million sick days attributed to stress, with anxiety and depression emerging as the leading causes of illness among nurses. This burnout is further exacerbated by extended shift hours, chronic understaffing, and workplace abuse.

Protecting Healthcare Staff: Systems and Solutions

Healthcare institutions face a significant challenge in protecting their staff from violent attacks. As incidents of aggression toward healthcare workers continue to rise, it is imperative that these institutions implement comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees.

Security Presence and Technological Solutions

One of the most effective ways to improve security in healthcare settings is to ensure a strong and visible presence of trained security personnel. However, it is crucial that these security professionals receive specialised training in de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention specific to healthcare settings.

In addition to human resources, technological solutions play a vital role in enhancing staff safety. Advanced closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems with live monitoring capabilities serve as both a deterrent and a means of rapid response to potential threats. Personal safety alarms for staff members, such as Pinpoint’s P2 System, allow employees to summon immediate assistance in the event of a threat or emergency.

Environmental Design and Policy Enforcement

Environmental design and clear policies also play crucial roles in staff protection. Healthcare institutions should implement strict access control measures, including ID badges, controlled entry points, and visitor management systems to limit unauthorised access. In addition, patient rooms and work areas should be designed with safety in mind, incorporating features like easily accessible panic buttons and escape routes.

Training and support for staff are equally important. Regular training on de-escalation techniques and recognising potential threats can empower employees to prevent incidents before they occur. Furthermore, implementing user-friendly incident reporting systems encourages staff to document threats and incidents, allowing for better risk assessment.

Pinpoint Staff Safety Systems: A Crucial Tool in Healthcare

Pinpoint staff safety alarms have become an essential tool in safeguarding healthcare workers from the rising incidents of violence in medical settings.

As aggression toward medical professionals escalates, these innovative systems offer a critical layer of security and peace of mind for those on the front lines of patient care. Pinpoint, a family-owned business with an Irish office in Blanchardstown, Dublin, has been at the forefront of addressing this issue for over 30 years. Their staff safety systems are now widely used across NHS healthcare trusts in the UK, as well as in healthcare facilities in Ireland and the US. The company’s latest solution, the P2 System, marks a significant advancement in staff protection technology.

At the heart of Pinpoint’s system is a wearable panic alarm. This device features two programmable buttons: a smaller one typically used to request assistance and a larger one for emergencies. The alarms use infrared technology, ensuring reliable and accurate communication in healthcare environments. When activated, the system sends alerts to nearby colleagues, enabling a rapid response and intervention. This quick reaction time is crucial, as the Pinpoint system can call for security and support in less than 85 milliseconds. The proactive nature of this system allows staff to address potential conflicts early, significantly reducing the chances of an incident escalating.

Pinpoint’s staff safety alarms are designed to be versatile and effective in various healthcare environments:

• Hospitals: The system equips nurses and hospital staff with a reliable device to prevent workplace violence initiated by patients.
• Mental health facilities: It fosters a safe and trusting environment during treatment sessions and daily interactions with clients.
• Residential rehabilitation centres: The alarms prioritise staff safety during therapeutic engagements with residents in rehabilitation programs

Pinpoint’s staff safety systems are now a key feature in many healthcare facilities. Although they don’t solve broader healthcare challenges, they provide peace of mind, enabling staff to focus on patient care without worrying about their safety. By showing that employee well-being matters, these systems help create a more positive work environment, lower stress levels, and boost job satisfaction, leading to a more motivated and engaged workforce.

Case Studies: Pinpoint in Action

The following case studies showcase the real-world impact of Pinpoint staff safety alarms in different healthcare settings. These examples highlight how the systems have enhanced both staff safety and overall well-being, creating a more supportive environment for patient care. By looking at these cases, we can better understand how effective staff safety systems can be in reducing risks and fostering a culture of safety within healthcare facilities.

St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, Galway

Located in Ballinasloe, Galway, The Creagh Suite in St. Brigid’s Hospital offers long-stay, continuing care for residents living with dementia and experiencing the psychological and behavioural symptoms of this illness.

The facility holds 14 beds for individuals who require ongoing care for severe mental health conditions and dementia. Staff at the hospital provide therapeutic activities, physical health monitoring and continuous support to allow residents to carry out their daily lives.

The Challenge

St. Brigid’s Hospital required a reliable, effective staff safety system to comply with Ireland’s health and safety legislation and protect the nursing staff on site. Pinpoint’s easy-to-use programme was chosen to meet the complex safety needs of the residents in Creagh Suite.

Aggressive behaviour can occur in people experiencing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. The confusion, hallucinations, memory loss and physical pain associated with the illness can cause a person to behave violently, often unintentionally.

To protect against this, Pinpoint’s staff safety systems were installed before the residents moved into the Creagh Suite.

The Solution

Meeting the high standards set by Ireland’s health and safety legislation, Pinpoint’s security systems were installed in St. Brigid’s Hospital to protect healthcare staff at risk of violence on the ward.

To minimise any interruptions to the daily running of the facility, the installation was carried out ahead of the residents moving into the building.

Twin Code Perpetual PITs were given to all staff members. Powered by a specialist energiser, these personal alarms could be used and recharged between shifts. The Perpetual PITs have two call levels, Assistance and Emergency, which correlate to the severity of the incident in question. By activating the alarm, infrared signals are transmitted to receiver units found within the hospital, activating the system and alerting a response team to the exact location and type of call. Doing so reduces the risk of an incident escalating and limits harm to the staff member.

Every member of the team was then given comprehensive training on how to use the system and the protocol in place for responding to incidents. This was all carried out before the hospital opened to ensure staff were confident and competent in using the systems in case of an incident.

The Result

Installing Pinpoint’s staff safety system gave staff confidence in their safety on the ward. With the approval of the HSE, the advanced security system superseded the legal safety requirements for St. Brigid’s Hospital, providing reliable, full-proof coverage of the Creagh Suite and garden area.

Maria Donnellan, Clinical Nurse Manager 3 at St. Brigid’s Hospital, said

“With Pinpoint’s staff safety systems installed, staff are reassured of their safety at work and know they can call for help in the event of any emergency. If a resident becomes abusive toward a member of the team, or if a patient is choking, staff can quickly call for support and know it will soon be on its way”

“The systems help us all stay safe, and crucially, meet the high requirements of health and safety legislation in Ireland. The Health and Safety Authority was impressed during a recent visit to the facility”

To find out more about staff security systems used in hospitals across Ireland, please contact us at https://www.pinpoint.ltd.uk/ contact-us.

Smallwood Manor, North Staffordshire, England

Smallwood Manor is an independent tier 4 hospital in North Staffordshire. The country estate serves as a therapeutic environment for young people and their families to receive care and treatment.

Part of Cove Healthcare, the facility offers specialist inpatient support to young people experiencing mental health disorders, with a focus on general adolescent, high dependency and eating disorder services.

The Challenge

Smallwood Manor required high-performance safety systems to protect both healthcare staff and residents on site.

Levels of violence against staff in mental health trusts are continually higher than in any other type of NHS trust (Royal College of Nursing). This is partially due to the complex nature of mental health illnesses, which can result in patients becoming distressed and behaving aggressively toward staff. In these cases, healthcare workers need to be able to call for assistance rapidly to swiftly de-escalate the situation and provide the necessary support.

Equally, residents required accessible, easy-to-use systems that would allow them to call for support in case of a medical or mental health crisis. Should a patient become distressed, it’s crucial they – or another resident – could summon assistance from a professional within an instant.

Due to the challenging nature of the environment, Cove Healthcare needed the highest quality security systems that would alert staff to potential issues on the ward without undue noise and disruption.

The Solution

Cove Healthcare identified the Pinpoint System as meeting the highest level of specification.

Personal Infrared Transmitters (PITs), which act as personal safety alarms, were given to all staff members to sound in case of an incident. Pinpoint’s PITs have two call levels, Assistance and Emergency, which correlate to the severity of the situation in question. By activating the alarm, infrared signals are transmitted to the Advanced Receiver Units installed within the hospital, triggering the system and alerting a response team to the exact location and type of the call. Doing so allows staff to intervene and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations, thereby reducing the risk of harm to workers and other residents.

Every member of the team was given comprehensive training on how to use the system and the protocol in place for responding to incidents. This was all carried out before the hospital opened to ensure staff were confident and competent in using the systems in case an incident were to occur.

Pinpoint’s Nurse Call Buttons were also built into the walls throughout the building for patients to use should they need assistance. Placing these at regular, accessible intervals in Smallwood Manor meant that residents could easily call for help in any situation or emergency.

The Results

Installing Pinpoint’s staff safety systems throughout Smallwood Manor maximised staff and patient safety, and significantly reduced the risk of harm. As a result, staff could focus on delivering the highest quality of care, and thereby improve patient treatment outcomes.

By offering thorough training ahead of the hospital opening employees felt reassured in how to use the systems effectively and could teach other bank staff how to do the same.

Lee Smith, head of Cove Health and Smallwood Manor said of the system “I’ve worked with all manner of safety systems, but none of them come anywhere near Pinpoint. It gives staff confidence. These types of environments can be quite stressful, and people need the confidence that they are safe at work in order to do the best job.”

Conclusion: A Time for Change

The current crisis in Irish nursing is not just a problem for nurses; it’s a critical issue that affects the entire healthcare system and, by extension, every citizen of Ireland. The HSE has a responsibility to its staff and the public, to take decisive action.

By implementing the practical measures outlined above, investing in staff safety and well-being, and learning from successful models elsewhere, the HSE can turn this crisis into an opportunity for positive change. The time for half-measures and stopgap solutions has passed. What is needed now is a comprehensive, systemic approach to valuing and protecting the nursing workforce.

As we move forward, it is crucial to remember that nurses are not just employees; they are the backbone of our healthcare system. Their well-being is intrinsically linked to the quality of care that patients receive. By investing in nurses, we invest in the health of the nation.

The protests we see today are a call to action. It is now up to the HSE and policymakers to answer that call with meaningful, lasting change. The future of Irish healthcare depends on it.

Written by John McSwiggan, Pinpoint Ireland

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