PRIORITIZE HEALTHCARE SAFETY
Hospital Panic Buttons for Safety and Compliance
Sarah, an ER nurse at a hospital, was cornered by an agitated patient’s family member at 2 AM. Her only backup was down the hall, but her Cognosos badge delivered help to her exact location in seconds.
Healthcare workers face 5x more workplace violence than any other profession.
It's more important than ever to protect your staff
- 80% of hospital staff said they would feel safer with a badge to protect them at work
- 40% of healthcare employees were victimized in the last two years
- 76% of all nurses experience verbal and/or physical violence on the job
- 26% of healthcare workers considered leaving their job because of workplace violence
Hospital Panic Buttons & Wearable Panic Badges
What is a Hospital Panic Button?
A hospital panic button is a wearable or stationary emergency device that allows healthcare staff to instantly summon help during threatening situations, medical emergencies, or workplace violence incidents. These devices send silent alerts to security personnel, providing the staff member’s exact location for immediate response.
Why Panic Buttons
Why Hospitals Need a Panic Button
Healthcare workers experience five times more workplace violence incidents than employees in other industries. The need for hospitals to protect their staff members has reached its highest point ever.
Quickly Intervene Through Open Space Accuracy
Know the precise location of the duress event in order to quickly intervene, whether it was a hallway, walkway, or parking garage.
Stay On Top Of Unfolding Incidents
Receive continuous location updates as the event unfolds to ensuring help is arriving where the staff member is, not where they were.
Avoid WiFi Communication Delays That Impact Response Time
Dedicated communication infrastructure with low latency designed to trigger alerts immediately.
Why Hospitals Depend on Panic Buttons
Key Reasons Hospitals Rely on Panic Buttons
A panic button serves a purpose that extends past basic security alert functions. A hospital demonstrates its dedication to employee safety through this system which provides staff members with assurance to work without fear. Below are the key reasons why hospitals rely on panic buttons:
Reduce Response Time
Fast, accurate alerts ensure immediate action during emergencies.
Enhance Staff Retention
Staff morale improves when they feel protected while on the job.
Prevent Workplace Violence
Visible commitment to safety discourages potential aggressors.
Focus on Patient Care
By addressing safety concerns, healthcare professionals can better concentrate on their patients.
Support Compliance
Modern panic buttons help hospitals adhere to growing state and federal safety regulations.
Attract New Talent
Wearable panic alarms show potential employees safety is a priority and can offer a competitive advantage over other hospitals.
Panic Button Compliance
Panic Button System Compliance Benefits
Hospitals that comply with these requirements benefit from:
- Meeting regulatory standards and requirements
- Avoiding substantial financial penalties and legal consequences
- Demonstrating commitment to staff safety and retention
- Streamlined incident reporting and tracking capabilities
State-Mandated Panic Alarms
The hospital panic button serves as an emergency safety device which medical staff can activate to get immediate help during dangerous situations. The devices operate as wearable or wall-mounted units that enable staff members to seek assistance through simple button activation. Staff members can send alerts that automatically direct to their precise location which enables fast and correct responses.
The panic button system enhances incident management through RTLS integration which provides exact room-level accuracy. These devices exist to provide vital protection for healthcare workers during their most vulnerable moments.
Common State Mandates:
- California: Laws require healthcare facilities to create workplace violence prevention plans, including panic buttons.
- Colorado: Panic alarms are compulsory in hospitals, ensuring compliance with SB-166 regulations.
- Oregon and New Jersey: Similar laws demand the use of duress alarms to protect healthcare workers from rising violence.
- New York: Legislation encourages the use of panic alarms in healthcare settings to enhance worker safety.
Additional states with requirements: Georgia, Texas, Maryland, Minnesota, Illinois, Connecticut, Washington.
How Cognosos Panic Button Safety Works
Cognosos delivers more than a panic button: they protect healthcare professionals when they need help the most.
It provides an intelligent safety platform. Leveraging AI-powered location intelligence, this solution ensures reliable, real-time communication during crises.
Core Features of Cognosos Safety
Campus-wide coverage indoors & outdoors:
One of the only RTLS platforms to provide safety both inside and outside, offering complete campus-wide coverage.
Stay on top of unfolding incidents:
Receive continuous location updates as the event unfolds, ensuring help is arriving where the staff member is, not where they were.
Avoid Wi-Fi communication delays that impact response time:
Dedicated communication infrastructure with low latency designed to trigger alerts immediately.
Cognosos guarantees immediate alert delivery to responders because staff safety remains the top priority during critical moments.
The Cognosos Real-Time Safety Platform
We provide an end-to-end, purpose-built platform designed from the ground up to deliver immediate, reliable, and precise incident response, ensuring both staff safety and effortless compliance.
Smart Badge
Discreet, wearable device for instant, one-press alerts.
Ultra Lightweight Infrastructure
Provides a low-latency, reliable communication channel that doesn’t use the hospital’s WiFi.
LocationAI
AI engine processes data to deliver intelligent, room-level location.
Role-Based Protection
Healthcare environments are dynamic, requiring solutions tailored to various roles and challenges. Cognosos designs its safety system to meet the unique needs of every stakeholder group.
Each role plays a part in creating a safe environment. Cognosos ensures these roles are seamlessly integrated into its safety solution.
Nurses and Clinical Staff
Discreet, wearable devices provide confidence and mobility during shifts.
Security Teams
Real-time tracking and communication enable targeted responses without delays.
Administrators
Comprehensive reporting dashboards simplify regulatory compliance and performance tracking.
IT Departments
Lightweight, reliable infrastructure minimizes network strain and maintenance burdens.
Deployment & Integration
Safety technology deployments should never cause operational interruptions. The Cognosos system operates as a lightweight platform which integrates seamlessly with hospital operational workflows.
Minimal Downtime
Systems are operational weeks after implementation, not months.
Scalable Across Campuses
From single facilities to multi-building campuses, Cognosos adapts.
SaaS Model
Shifts expenses from capital investments to manageable, predictable operating budgets.
By combining easy setup with user-friendly interfaces, Cognosos ensures hospitals can protect their staff without technical roadblocks.
Protection Where It's Needed Most
From high-traffic emergency rooms to isolated parking garages, our platform provides a seamless shield of protection across your entire campus.
High-Stakes, High-Stress Environments
In chaotic emergency departments, our system provides instant, discreet alerting that doesn’t escalate tense situations. Room-level accuracy ensures security can navigate the crowded space to reach the precise point of need without delay.
Discretion and Reliability for Sensitive Care
In behavioral health units, staff safety is paramount. Our silent, vibrating alerts and discreet badges allow staff to summon help without alarming patients or escalating a crisis, fostering a safer therapeutic environment.
Closing Safety Gaps in Remote Areas
Staff working alone in labs, pharmacies, or storage areas are uniquely vulnerable. Our lightweight network ensures complete coverage in these often-overlooked parts of the hospital, guaranteeing no call for help goes unheard.
Extending Protection Beyond the Walls
Threats don’t stop at the hospital doors. Our campus-wide coverage extends seamlessly to parking garages, walkways, and other outdoor areas, providing staff with peace of mind from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a Panic Button and a Duress Alarm?
The panic button triggers an immediate help request when staff members face violent or threatening situations. A duress alarm provides extended features including continuous monitoring, automatic escalation notifications, and AI-driven location tracking.
How does Cognosos ensure compliance with state laws?
The system includes automated incident logging and reporting tools, staff training support which ensure compliance with state-specific mandates and The Joint Commission’s Workplace Violence Prevention Standards.
How does location accuracy work during an incident?
Having an RTLS that offers room-level accuracy with high confidence is essential when an incident involves more than one location. If an assailant is moving around the hospital, first responders need to go to their current location, not where they were five minutes ago when a staff duress button was pushed.
How long does implementation take?
Implementation time depends on several factors, such as facility size and involvement of hospital IT staff. Because the Cognosos staff duress and safety solution runs on such light infrastructure, however, the time from contract to use is among the shortest on the market.
Request a Demo
Discover how Cognosos can redefine safety in your hospital with panic buttons. Request a live demo today and see how the system works in real-time. Explore how we integrate compliance, AI-powered precision, and easy deployment into one reliable solution.
Your success is our mission.
Proactive safety begins with the right tools. Secure your staff, simplify compliance, and elevate confidence in your workplace today.