STAFF PERSONAL ALARM SYSTEMS
Perpetual PITs are small devices that hang at waist level, with the option to choose a call for either assistance or emergency, depending on the situation.
benefits of spending time outside, without increasing risk of harm. Martyn Perry, head of Programme Management Office, and Assistive Technology Strategy lead at St. George’s Hospital, said: “Mental health wards can be particularly challenging locations to install products in without disrupting our service- users. Pinpoint handled the installation professionally, with minimal disruption to the wards. Integration into our IT network wasn’t straightforward, Pinpoint made some bespoke modifications to get the system to talk to our IT system, as well as to work alongside a different paging solution.”
The solution Pinpoint’s range of Personal Infrared Transmitters (PITs) played a significant part in the work at St George’s Hospital. Staff were either given badge or perpetual PITs to ensure their individual safety. The badge PIT is a personal alarm system that takes the form of a standard identity badge-holder worn on a lanyard or belt hook. Activated by the push of the button on the back of the badge, it allows staff to call for assistance or emergency in the case of an incident. A response team can then act quickly to provide support to the staff member in question. As the badge PIT is a discreet device, it can be activated without aggravating an aggressive patient. Similarly, perpetual PITs were given
to a number of healthcare workers at St George’s Hospital. These small devices hangs at waist level, with the option to choose a call for assistance or emergency depending on the situation. To operate, staff simply press a button on the device to call for assistance, or, in an emergency, grasp the PIT and pull downwards to transmit an emergency call.
Quick location identification Using advanced communication and reporting technology, the PITs trigger Advanced Receiver Units (ARU), which quickly identify the exact location and type of call, relaying the information to the response team. Daniel Waring, CEO
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In larger, high-risk mental healthcare facilities, overdoor lights are often installed to alert staff to an alarm activation taking place in another room.
of Pinpoint, highlights the benefits of reliable security alarm systems in mental healthcare settings: “Staff working in high-risk settings need to be reassured that the systems are in place to guarantee their safety should a service-user become distressed and / or aggressive. Reliable security systems create a safer environment, which allows clinical staff to carry out their duties effectively, and the service-users to simultaneously rehabilitate securely. “Our collection of PITs offers the ideal solution, allowing staff to activate a call for help quickly and discreetly,” added Daniel Waring. “Often when service-users hear the alarm being sounded, they calm down, knowing that response staff will soon be on the way. In this way, the personal staff alarm systems quickly de-escalate aggressive incidents and reduce the risk of harm to staff.”
Lower cost At St George’s Hospital, our high- performance and highly effective system protects more staff at a lower cost than the previous security system, while with more areas both within and outside the buildings covered, the healthcare professionals caring for service-users feel safer at work and more productive. Martyn Perry adds: “Feedback from the users of the Pinpoint system has been positive. The system is easier to use, requires very little training, and the devices are more robust. The ward staff are happy to have a reliable panic alert system and we, in the technology department, appreciate the personal dedication of the
Allan Aikman
Allan Aikman joined Pinpoint in 2013, and has worked his way up to become a Product (Design) manager, responsible for the design and development of the company’s product portfolio. With extensive experience in the medical / security and investigations industry, he is highly skilled in product design and management. Over the past nine years, he has successfully investigated and implemented new technology concepts for Pinpoint, prototyping, troubleshooting, and improving the products delivered to clients.
MAY 2022 | THE NETWORK
engineers and the very flexible service we receive from Pinpoint. They have taken a lot of time to install, explain, and service the system. Any queries or maintenance issues are dealt with very quickly and competently.”
Further support In larger, high-risk mental healthcare facilities, overdoor lights (ODLs) are also installed to alert staff to an alarm activation taking place in another room. The ODLs light in the direction of the alarm, guiding the response team to the location of an incident to provide rapid support. With colour variants and audio emissions that reflect the level of call triggered, the ODLs ensure that the appropriate response is given to staff at risk of abusive behaviour. As aggression toward healthcare
workers continues to rise, reliable and effective security alarm systems are more needed than ever. Daniel Waring says: “The work that healthcare workers do is invaluable, and often life-changing, for the patients and service-users they are looking after. The least that we can do is ensure they feel protected and are safe from harm.” The results from St George’s Hospital
speak for themselves. Since the installation of the Pinpoint system, frontline staff report feeling safer at work, confident in the performance and reliability of the system. Crucially, with reduced risk of assault and incidents escalating, staff are better able to perform their caring duties and support the hospital’s service-users in their recovery.
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