Workplace violence in healthcare is not theoretical. In 2023, duress systems recorded more than 22,000 alerts triggered by hospital employees across 800 U.S. facilities, showing aggressive incidents affecting over 10% of staff in roles from nursing to food service in every area of the hospital campus. The reality of these threats underscores the need for reliable safety technology and strategic support that extends beyond traditional panic buttons.
At B&B Integrations, we help hospitals and healthcare systems deploy the right combination of staff duress, real-time location (RTLS), and communications platforms to ensure staff can call for help quickly, discreetly, and accurately. As workplace violence grows in frequency and severity, having the right system can make every second count.
Why Staff Violence in Healthcare is a Growing Problem
Healthcare workers in the United States are significantly more likely to experience workplace violence than almost any other profession. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare and social assistance sectors account for a disproportionate share of nonfatal workplace injuries due to violence, far exceeding national averages.
Hospital settings are uniquely vulnerable because emotionally charged interactions are frequent. Patients in pain, family members under stress, and behavioral health crises can all escalate quickly. Threats and aggressive behavior are no longer isolated to emergency departments; data shows that many duress alerts originate outside EDs, in areas like inpatient wings, surgical units, and ICUs.
This pervasive risk not only jeopardizes physical safety but also contributes to psychological stress, burnout, higher turnover, and increased operational costs for health systems. Solutions must address both real-time response and longer-term safety strategies to prevent staff shortages across health systems.
How Duress & RTLS Technologies Improve Safety & Response
Real-Time Alerts and Location Tracking
Modern staff duress solutions combine a wearable or badge-based button with RTLS so that when an alert is triggered, security and response teams know exactly where help is needed. Technologies from partners like CenTrak enable faster, more coordinated responses, even if a situation moves from one unit to another.
You can explore CenTrak staff duress solutions here: https://centrak.com/solutions/safety/staff-duress
Instead of relying on fixed panic buttons at nurse stations or desk phones, wearable duress buttons allow caregivers to request assistance from wherever they are. This can be critical in hallway altercations, patient rooms, or even non-clinical areas like parking structures.
Accurate, real-time location data helps speed response times, reduce confusion, and allow security teams to prioritize truly urgent events. This kind of precision is especially important during violent situations where every second matters.
Integrated Communications and Workflow Alignment
Duress and RTLS technologies are most effective when they integrate with a facility’s broader communication and clinical systems. B&B Integrations ensures that new systems work seamlessly with existing infrastructure, including mass notification platforms, nurse call systems, and security dispatch consoles.
Imagine a nurse encountering a hostile patient. With a wearable duress badge, she can press a button, trigger an alert across the right channels, and share her location instantly without disrupting patient care or drawing attention. The system relays information to security and nearby staff through the appropriate channels, improving coordination.
RTLS can also facilitate other operational functions such as asset tracking and staff collaboration, making these systems multipurpose investments rather than niche add-ons.
B&B Integrations’ Approach to Healthcare Safety
Tailored Assessments and Solution Design
No two hospitals are alike. B&B Integrations begins every project with a thorough assessment of the facility’s layout, network capabilities, clinical workflows, and security needs. This ensures that staff duress and RTLS technologies are not simply installed — they are strategically deployed to support real-world use.
Whether you’re implementing a system for the first time or upgrading an existing platform, B&B engineers map out the best locations for coverage, identify integration points, and plan for scalability. The team’s understanding of healthcare workflows means solutions enhance care delivery rather than disrupt it.
Continuous Support and Evolution
Healthcare environments change constantly. Departments expand, technology evolves, and new safety challenges emerge. B&B provides ongoing support that helps facilities adapt their systems over time. From firmware updates to network expansions and training sessions, B&B stays involved to help keep safety systems reliable and relevant.
This long-term partnership model helps hospitals maintain continuity and confidence in their safety infrastructure. The result is less downtime, fewer tech surprises, and a higher level of trust from staff at all levels.
Real Outcomes and Cultural Impact
When safety technology works the way it should, the impact is measurable. Facilities that adopt integrated staff duress and RTLS systems see:
- Faster response times from security and rapid response teams
- Lower incidence of serious staff injuries
- Improved documentation and reporting of violent events
- Enhanced staff morale and confidence
- Reduced turnover and recruitment costs
Because these systems help staff feel protected, organizations also see a positive cultural shift. Caregivers are more willing to stay in high-stress environments when they know there are reliable tools and trained responders behind them.
Safety Must Be Strategic and Supported
Healthcare workers deserve to focus on patient care, not worry about their personal safety. As workplace violence becomes more frequent and unpredictable, hospitals must equip staff with tools that are discreet, reliable, and integrated into everyday workflows.
At B&B Integrations, we partner with healthcare leaders to design, implement, and support staff duress and RTLS systems that make a real difference. From precise location tracking to seamless alerting across teams, our solutions help organizations respond faster, work smarter, and protect their most valuable resource—their people.
Learn more about our healthcare solutions at https://www.bbintegrations.com/healthcare/.
Take the next step. Contact B&B Integrations today to assess your safety needs and build a system that supports your staff and your mission.
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