1 in 4 nurses report being physically assaulted on the job. However, the actual number is likely far greater, as many incidents go unreported. In a survey of 8,780 nurses from over 200 hospitals, 70% of nurses indicated that they did not report a violent incident they had faced.  

The reality is: nurses are the target of workplace violence more often than any other category of healthcare worker. Furthermore, in 2017, hospital staff suffered more than 50,000 work-related injuries or illnesses that caused employees to miss work—an injury rate that is 45% higher than the rate for all occupations.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of injuries in hospital workers is even higher than in traditionally hazardous industries like manufacturing and construction.    

As our healthcare workers battle COVID-19 on the front lines, their safety continues to be of utmost importance—in more ways than one. More than ever, nurses need the right equipment to do their jobs effectively while protecting them from harm. To prevent danger, healthcare facilities are now encouraged to equip staff with versatile healthcare-grade smartphones due to their user-friendliness and versatility.  

5 Ways the Correct Smartphone Protects Nurses and Patients 

1. Real-time emergency alerts – Safe buttons can be configured to alert nearby staff of any emergency or dangerous situations. Alerts should provide the exact location of the nurse and may even notify entire units depending on the nature of the emergency. 
2. Request security subtly - In some scenarios, the clinician may not immediately require assistance, but would like someone else to listen in on what is going on in the room in case the situation takes a turn. 
3. Request staff assistance for better patient care - For example, in a Med-Surg unit, a clinician may need help lifting or turning a patient.  By configuring panic buttons as a “Staff Assist” button, nurses can seamlessly alert others that they need assistance. This helps mitigate worker injury and malpractice.  
4. Create an emergency code for specific events – Alert buttons can also be programmed to call code blue, or any other code, which notifies and activates the appropriate emergency response team. Moreover, by integrating smartphones within a dependable WiFi infrastructure, alerts can also be distributed through other channels such as tablets or PA systems.  
5. Summon whole teams at once - This goes beyond just calling and location functionality. Healthcare smartphones can open conference calls and or third-party apps, depending on the application. Teams can then quickly triage and coordinate their response.  

Eliminate further stress from your staff’s mind when you protect patient and nurse safety with devices designed for seamless security and dependability. Contact SMGRx to see how you can get started.