Prioritising Healthcare Workers' Safety with Duress Alarms

Healthcare workers often face unique risks while performing their duties, especially when working alone, in high-stress environments, or late at night. Monitored duress alarms are essential tools that provide protection, peace of mind, and immediate access to help in emergencies.

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Safety for Lone Workers

Healthcare workers can work remotely in a many different locations and departments:

• Aged Care
• Hospital in the Home (HITH)
• Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH)
• Palliative Care
• Maternal Health and Midwifery
• Youth Services
• Allied Health
• Mental Health
• Dialysis

Healthcare professionals who work in the community or conduct home visits, often encounter unfamiliar locations and settings. Monitored duress alarms ensure that these workers have a safety net, allowing them to focus on providing care without fear. With just a press of a button, they can alert a 24/7 emergency response team and receive immediate assistance if needed.

Prior to attending home visits, workers are also encouraged to check in with the monitoring team and provide their details and exact location to ensure a swift and prioritised response. This rapid response can be the difference between escalating risk and a swift resolution.

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Support in Volatile Environments

Healthcare professionals working in high-stress or unpredictable environments may encounter volatile situations. Whether facing distressed clients, aggressive behaviour or potential threats, monitored duress alarms offer a critical lifeline. These alarms connect workers to trained responders who can coordinate rapid intervention, ensuring the safety of the worker and the client in challenging circumstances.

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Safety for Night-Time Shifts

Late-night shifts can bring unique vulnerabilities for healthcare workers, especially when working in isolated areas. Monitored alarms provide added security, offering reassurance that help is always available, even in the middle of the night.

The duress alarm features 2-way communication for speaking directly with the monitoring team. Hearing the voice of another person through the alarm can sometimes be enough of a deterrent for potential assailants.

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Empowering Healthcare Professionals

By providing a reliable layer of safety, monitored duress alarms empower healthcare workers to focus on what they do best—caring for others. The sense of security these devices bring not only reduces stress but also enhances their ability to perform their duties effectively and confidently.

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A Commitment to Healthcare Workers

MePACS duress alarms for lone workers represent more than just a safety measure—they are a testament to prioritising the wellbeing of those who keep our communities thriving. Whether in community care, home visits, or high-risk settings, lone worker duress alarms ensure that healthcare professionals are never alone, no matter where their work takes them. In the words of many healthcare workers, the simple act of knowing they’re never truly alone makes all the difference.

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Enhancing Workplace Health & Safety

‍Over 90% of MePACS Duress clients say they feel more supported by their organisation when offered a duress alarm.

Beyond its life-saving capabilities, monitored duress alarms foster a safer workplace culture. Knowing there’s always support available creates an atmosphere of reassurance and trust—empowering healthcare workers to focus on their patients with confidence. This sense of security can also alleviate stress and boost morale.

The benefits extend far beyond individual safety, impacting the healthcare system as a whole. When frontline workers feel supported and protected, they’re better equipped to deliver exceptional care.

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How does the MePACS Duress Alarm work?

The MePACS duress alarm is a compact, wearable device that can be worn around the neck or attached to clothing using the clip attachment. It features a simple help button, GPS location, 2-way voice communication and 4G technology. It works anywhere in Australia with good cellular coverage.

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1. Check in (optional)

Use the alarm to provide your exact location prior to attending a potential high-risk situation or a highly populated location, such as an apartment block or caravan site.

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2. Call for help

In an emergency situation or if you feel unsafe, concerned or in need of help, press the button to activate the alarm.

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3. Talk to us

MePACS will receive the alert and talk to you through the alarm to assess your situation. Sometimes just having the MePACS response team on the line is enough to diffuse the situation.

If you do not respond on the alarm or on your mobile phone, we will still send help.

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4. Get help

We will send the right help to your location and stay in touch until help arrives. We will keep your contacts informed as required.

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Duress Alarm vs. Mobile Phone

In a duress situation, time can be critical, and using a monitored duress alarm provides significant advantages over relying on a mobile phone.

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Unlike a phone, which requires locating, unlocking, and potentially navigating to an app or dialling a number, a duress alarm is designed for immediate use. A simple press of a button connects you directly to a professional monitoring service, eliminating delays that could escalate the situation.

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A key benefit of the MePACS duress alarm is its 2-way communication feature, allowing you to speak directly with a trained monitor. This direct connection ensures that there’s no waiting on hold or fumbling through call menus. The monitor listens carefully to your account of the situation, quickly assesses the level of assistance required, and takes immediate action - whether alerting a supervisor, contacting on-site security, or dispatching emergency services.

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Duress alarms also have an edge during high-stress or emergency scenarios. In a panicked state, handling a mobile phone can be cumbersome, especially if the phone is misplaced, locked, or has limited battery life. By contrast, a duress alarm is a purpose-built, wearable device that is always within reach, ensuring accessibility at all times.

Even if the duress alarm is taken or lost, once activated, MePACS will already have your details and location on file, ensuring help is dispatched without delay.

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As the demand for healthcare continues to grow, ensuring their safety and support remains a shared responsibility—and it starts with innovative solutions like monitored duress alarms. After all, their safety is our gratitude in action.

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Getting help quickly during duress situations can make all the difference. To find out more about duress alarms for you and your team download our duress alarm brochure, or enquire now

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