Home healthcare workers are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system. They provide essential services to various patients—from the elderly, disabled, to those recovering from illness, and more—enabling them to remain in the comfort of their homes. However, despite their critical role, these workers often face significant challenges.
These workers can face many safety risks when performing home visits, such as violence or harassment. According to the CDC, it is estimated that a range of 18% to 65% of home healthcare workers have experienced verbal abuse from patients, while as many as 41% of workers have reported sexual harassment. Therefore, there is a need for robust safety measures that can protect healthcare workers.
Protecting home healthcare workers is not only a moral obligation but also a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of home healthcare services. Becklar, a leader in innovative solutions, offers a comprehensive suite of safety solutions that can give workers and their employers peace of mind.
Becklar Workforce Safety: A Comprehensive Safety Solution
At Becklar, there is a deep-rooted history of helping others.
Becklar has created industry-leading connected safety solutions through their world-class comprehensive suite of lifesaving safety technologies. That company has leveraged its innovative technology platform and award-winning services to create customizable and comprehensive solutions to meet the connected safety needs of its enterprise and individual customers across diverse industries, including those within the home healthcare system.
With the need to better protect home healthcare workers, Becklar’s Workforce Safety has emerged as an adaptable solution for healthcare workers. Workforce Safety is an innovative system of connected safety solutions designed to be digital PPE. While traditional PPE—like gloves, face masks, and other tools—have been used and are effective, they are simply not enough to give home healthcare workers the peace of mind they need while on the job. However, with Becklar’s digital PPE, home healthcare workers can access 24/7 help no matter where they are.
How Becklar Workforce Safety Works
Becklar’s safety system has several main components: its WorkerSafety Pro app, Safety Button, and Series X Pro. These, along with an integrated safety dashboard, offer fast, live, and effective support—true digital PPE—that home healthcare workers can fully depend on.
The WorkerSafety Pro App
Becklar’s WorkerSafety Pro app is designed with the user in mind.
As one of the most comprehensive and customizable solutions Becklar offers, the WorkerSafety Pro app has unique features that enhance existing safety protocols and best practices. For example, the scheduled check-in feature requires the user to actively make their status known. So, if a home healthcare worker fails to check-in during a scheduled time, the system is immediately flagged and action can be taken in the event of an emergency situation.
Additionally, the app includes a built-in panic button. Home healthcare workers can use the button to notify their emergency contacts anytime help is needed. With Becklar’s many redundant monitoring centers operating 24/7, healthcare workers can have a greater sense of security knowing help is always available.
The Safety Button and Series X Pro
The Safety Button is small and discreet, pairing to the WorkerSafety Pro app via bluetooth. With its small form factor and year-long battery life, it is designed to send discreet emergency signals. For example, if a home healthcare worker presses this button, a silent alarm is activated in the app immediately. This allows healthcare workers to get the help they need without overtly escalating the situation.
Similarly, the Series X Pro device is also small but mighty. It is a cellular device that works without a connection to a phone. With the push of a button, home healthcare workers can get help anytime. The Series X Pro can send the location of the user during an emergency. Also, if the device is worn as a pendant, it can track if the worker falls while on the job.
The Immediate Emergency Response Options in Becklar’s Workforce Safety
When it comes to safeguarding home healthcare workers, the immediate emergency response options within Becklar’s Workforce Safety are essential. These tools provide a sense of security and a practical means of addressing emergencies without delay.
One crucial aspect of these response systems is the emphasis on privacy. A healthcare worker’s location and personal information are only shared in the case of a verified emergency. This ensures their confidentiality while offering critical assistance during a crisis.
Also, the panic button feature within the Workforce Safety devices and app is a lifesaving feature for home healthcare workers. This tool allows them to signal for help instantly and without drawing attention to themselves, which can be vital in volatile or potentially dangerous situations. The panic button is designed to avoid escalating a situation, ensuring that help can be summoned silently and efficiently. Whether activated through one of the devices or the WorkerSafety Pro app, this feature gives workers a reliable way to alert their employer, contacts, or emergency services.
Additionally, scheduled check-ins are another valuable safety measure that can protect workers in high-risk scenarios. These automated or manual systems require workers to confirm their safety at preset intervals. An alert is triggered if a check-in is missed, prompting follow-up actions to verify the worker’s well-being. This method ensures that even when a worker is unable to call for help, there is a built-in mechanism for recognizing and responding to potential emergencies.
Furthermore, across North America, Becklar has many operating monitoring centers. These redundant central stations have caring, experienced professionals who can dispatch emergency services if needed. These monitoring centers are operated 24/7, ensuring that home healthcare workers can get help anytime.
The ROI of Protecting Home Healthcare Workers
Investing in the safety of home healthcare workers is not just morally right—it is also a sound financial decision. Unsafe working conditions can lead to costly consequences, including medical expenses from worker injuries, legal liabilities from assaults, and lost productivity due to high turnover rates. The expenses associated with recruiting, hiring, and training new employees add up quickly, making it far more cost-effective to implement preventive measures.
When healthcare workers feel valued and protected, their morale and job satisfaction increase significantly. Implementing safety solutions signals to employees that their well-being is a priority, fostering trust and loyalty. Workers who feel secure are more likely to remain in their roles, reducing turnover rates and preserving institutional knowledge. Additionally, a culture of safety can enhance productivity and create a positive work environment where employees are motivated to deliver high-quality care. Ultimately, the return on investment in worker safety extends beyond financial gains, including improved employee satisfaction and patient outcomes.
A Commitment to Safety for Healthcare Workers
At the core of Becklar’s mission is its dedication to protecting vulnerable healthcare workers and ensuring they can carry out their duties safely and effectively. This mission brings the culture of caring to fruition.
Protecting home healthcare workers is not just a responsibility—it’s an investment in their safety, well-being, and longevity. Becklar Workforce Safety offers innovative solutions designed to empower and protect employees in every situation. It is important for the home healthcare industry to take the first step in demonstrating its commitment to employee safety by implementing digital PPE as its safety solution.
