5 Panic Button Alarm Policy Must Haves

Which of these key elements is missing from your panic button alarm policy? 

A panic alarm system - especially a body-worn solution like ROAR - is a great way to enhance the safety of your healthcare staff.  But it’s not enough to just install  and tell staff how to use a system.   

A solid, well-written panic alarm system policy clarifies system ownership, training and response expectations, documentation requirements and more.  Staff must follow the policy closely to maximize your investment, prevent liability exposure, and to maintain staff confidence in the safety benefits of your system. 

Here are five panic alarm policy must-haves.  Which ones are you missing?

1. Testing Procedure- Who will test your system?  No panic alarm solution, whether hardwired or body-worn, should be considered a “set it and forget it” system.  You don’t want the system to fail in an emergency, so it’s critical that you test your system regularly.  Yourpolicy should include how often the system should be tested, by whom, how it will be documented, and how issues will be reported and resolved. 
2. Downtime Procedure- What if your system stops working for some reason?  Your policy should address how you will notify personnel protected by the system.  It should also cover  the back-up procedure for emergency assistance (usually calling security or 911). 
3. Training- What training will be provided to staff?  Without initial and ongoing training for staff, your panic alarm system loses some of its effectiveness.  If staff don’t know how or when to activate the system, they can’t summon help.  Training expectations, frequency of training, and ownership of training should all be included in your policy. 
4. Response- Who will respond to panic alarm alerts, and what is expected of them?  Your response team may be a professional security department, leadership, or other staff.  Your policy should be clear on who will respond, what they should do when they arrive, and when the situation should be escalated (i.e., the police).  It should also cover how the response team or personnel will be trained to stay safe. 
5. Recovery- What happens after a panic alarm activation for an actual incident?  The initial response to a panic alarm activation is critical.  But all too often, there’s little follow-up with the person who activated the panic alarm.  Your policy should cover who is responsible for following up with the employee immediately after an incident, providing referral options for safety planning and psychological support, and how it will be documented.          

Once you have these five key elements in your panic alarm policy, have the right people and departments read it and formally approve it.  Key leadership and stakeholders should be involved in blessing your final policy.  Don’t forget to run it by your risk management leadership as well- they are always an excellent resource for policies  involving potential liability exposure.  

There you have it- five panic alarm policy must-haves.  From testing to recovery, these must-haves will help ensure your system is ready when it counts and that staff are supported after an incident where they felt unsafe.