#USA #New York #healthcare safety #Kontakt.io #Staff Safe

Enhanced Safety for Healthcare Workers: Kontakt.io's New Expansion

In response to the alarming rise in violence against healthcare workers, Kontakt.io has taken a groundbreaking step aimed at ensuring the safety of these essential personnel. The company has expanded its Staff Safe workplace violence prevention solution to encompass outdoor areas, including hospital parking garages and external pathways. This innovative enhancement allows hospitals to now deliver a unified safety solution throughout their campuses rather than confining protection to indoor environments.

The Growing Concern of Workplace Violence

The escalation of workplace violence in healthcare settings has become a major concern. Statistically, incidents have surged by 112% recently, incurring an economic toll exceeding $18 billion on hospitals, largely due to staffing disruptions, legal expenditures, and personnel turnover. In light of these alarming statistics, Kontakt.io’s decision to extend its safety measures outdoors reflects a proactive approach towards safeguarding healthcare professionals.

Rom Eizenberg, Chief Revenue Officer at Kontakt.io, emphasizes this shift: “Most staff safety systems stop at the hospital doors. We went further, adding a one-mile-radius outdoor coverage zone.” This newly integrated solution ties directly into the existing real-time location system (RTLS), extending the safety net for caregivers from the nurse's station to the furthest parking stall, thereby covering all access areas relevant to staff areas.

Innovative Technology for Real-Time Safety

The efficacy of Kontakt.io’s solution lies in its use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Smart Badges equipped with discreet panic buttons. With a simple push, nurses and staff can trigger an immediate duress alert, signaling authorities and sharing their real-time location irrespective of indoor or outdoor environments. This ensures that help is never far away, offering peace of mind to staff as they traverse between hospital facilities and parking areas.

The integration of LoRaWAN-based Outdoor Gateways into the system guarantees that long-range connectivity is maintained, allowing seamless communication throughout hospital campuses. Furthermore, the newly developed Smart Badge 3 Mini caters explicitly to clinical environments, offering enhanced comfort and utility.

• - Key Features of the Smart Badge 3 Mini:

- Compact, lightweight design for 24/7 wearability
- A larger panic button to minimize false alarms
- Haptic feedback to confirm alert activation
- Extended battery life for minimal maintenance efforts

These advancements in technology signify a commitment not only to the immediate safety of healthcare workers but also streamline their operational workflow, ensuring accessibility and responsiveness in emergency scenarios.

An Integrated Platform for Comprehensive Solutions

Beyond merely addressing personal safety concerns, Kontakt.io’s AI-powered RTLS platform is designed as an all-encompassing infrastructure. By consolidating operations from asset management to patient monitoring under one platform, hospitals can ultimately enhance their overall efficiency. This overarching system encourages smarter decisions across various departments, promoting a culture that prioritizes safety and operational optimization simultaneously.

Prominent healthcare facilities such as the Northeast Georgia Health System, the Veterans Health Administration, and Genesis HealthCare System have recognized the potential of this pioneering solution. This adoption speaks volumes about the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in the evolving landscape of healthcare.

A Commitment to Safety

Mary Beth Kingston, a member of Kontakt.io's Healthcare Advisory Board, emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing staff safety over everything else: “Healthcare leaders must treat staff safety as an organizational priority, not merely an isolated feature.” This sentiment beautifully captures the essence of Kontakt.io's mission — to provide healthcare professionals with an essential tool that not only empowers them but also reassures them of their organization’s commitment to their safety.

In summary, as workplace violence continues to escalate, innovations like Kontakt.io’s Staff Safe solution are vital in reimagining how healthcare facilities protect their staff. By expanding safety coverage to outdoor spaces and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Kontakt.io sets a new standard for workplace safety in the healthcare sector, paving the way for a safer and more responsive healthcare environment.