Duress Alarms

Duress alarms are designed to immediately notify designated personnel or a monitoring team when activated.

Upon triggering, the alarm sends a signal to internal security teams or external monitoring service, ensuring rapid response times.

These duress alarms can be integrated into various wearable options, including the duress pendant, duress watch, or mobile duress alarm buttons, providing flexibility for healthcare staff.

Many systems are equipped with GPS and RTLS tracking, enabling healthcare staff to be located quickly, especially in large healthcare facilities or when working alone.

Duress alarms connect via:

• Wi-FI
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Cellular Networks
• GPS Tracking

By utilising multiple connectivity options, these alarms ensure reliable communication, even in the even of network failure, which is essential for uninterrupted service and quick responses.

There are several types of duress alarms, each designed to meet specific needs in healthcare settings:

Fixed Duress Alarm Buttons: Installed in specific areas, such as nurses’ stations or consultation rooms, these alarms provide a convenient way for staff to call for help in emergencies.

Mobile Duress Pendants and Watches: Healthcare staff can wear mobile duress pendants or watches to call for help quickly while working in various locations, such as hospital wings or patients homes.

Lone Worker Alarms: Designed for healthcare staff working in isolated areas, these alarms typically include GPS tracking and fall detection, ensuring immediate response in case of an emergency.

Healthcare workers often face unpredictable situations, such as dealing with patients who have mental health issues or are experiencing severe pain, which can sometimes lead to aggressive behaviour.

In high-stress situations, the ability to signal for assistance can prevent violence from escalating, ensuring the safety of both the staff and patients.

Moreover, duress alarms contribute significantly to improving staff morale.

When workers know that help is just a button press away, they can confidently perform their duties.

This enhanced sense of security boosts staff retention and demonstrates that healthcare facilities are committed to safeguarding their workers.

Patient safety is equally critical.  Duress alarms can be integrated with third-party systems to address various patient safety concerns.

For example, in situations where patients may wander into restricted areas or experience falls, the alarm system can activate immediate responses such as:

• Access Control – Locking doors to prevent unsafe exits
• Notifying healthcare staff
• Triggering audible alarms
• Playing pre-recorded messages to guide patients back to safe areas.

These features ensure a timely response to prevent patient accidents and enhance overall safety.

Duress alarms can be integrated with other communication and safety systems with healthcare facilities.

For example, Austco’s Nurse Call System enhances the functionality of duress alarms by enabling healthcare workers to send distress signals directly from mobile devices.

Once activated, the alarm is routed intelligently to the appropriate personnel.

The systems’ real-time location services (RTLS) provide pinpoint accuracy, reducing response time and increasing safety.

Austco’s open API enables duress alarms to connect with other systems, improving communication.

To maximise effectiveness, duress alarms should be placed within easy reach for the user but remain secure from interference by others.

Wearable options, such as neck, belt, or wrist alarms, are ideal for accessibility and reduce the chance of tampering.

We give you the tools to keep your facility running smoothly. So, you can focus on your most important work.