The Emergency Rooms, cornerstones of care and immediate intervention, risk becoming dangerous places. In recent years, verbal and physical assaults on healthcare personnel have significantly increased.
The numbers speak clearly
In 2023 alone, over 11,000 cases of violence were reported to INAIL as workplace injuries.
69% of the victims refrained from reporting the assaults they suffered – probably due to a climate of distrust created by the presence of inadequate support and the minimization of the problem.
ANAAO ASSOMED, the Association of Medical Managers, conducted a survey in March 2024 involving all medical disciplines, which, without exception, responded:
- 81% of healthcare workers have been subjected to assaults, mainly within the corridors of the Emergency Room.
- 73% of operators face assaults alone or with limited support from colleagues, highlighting a situation of isolation and vulnerability.
The data provides a real picture of the phenomenon’s dimensions.
The crucial role of technology. What can be done?
“Appropriate measures must be identified, both preventive and protective, ranging from structural and technological adjustments to organizational measures, monitoring and surveillance procedures, and specific training for personnel to prevent and manage episodes of violence.”
— “Trend of workplace injuries and occupational diseases”, INAIL report no. 11, November 2023.
As highlighted by the INAIL report, the identification of technological solutions, accompanied by monitoring procedures, capable of managing critical situations in real-time is of primary importance. In the YouCo Research and Development departments, we face the technological challenge in the field of personal safety daily. Through study, experience, and significant testing in real emergency situations, we have been able to develop solid and effective solutions.
Equipping the staff with the YouManDown application in SafeER mode allows them to send immediate alarm signals to the hospital’s security service or the designated authority. This way, authorities can intervene promptly in case of potential assaults, ensuring a safe and protected working environment.
Solutions like YouManDown in SafeER mode represent a concrete signal to those who, day and night, dedicate themselves to safeguarding our health and constitute an effective tool to enable them to work feeling supported. Health and safety are fundamental rights for everyone and a duty for those who professionally have the legal responsibility for the protection and safety of Hospitals and Emergency Rooms. Do you want to learn more about the YouManDown functionality?
