Canopy Works: The Safety Imperative, How Wearables Are Transforming Workplace Security at UMH Regional Health

Workplace violence in healthcare is a crisis, and for providers at the University of Michigan Health Sparrow and West, the threat had become alarmingly frequent. In high-stakes, enclosed environments like patient rooms, immediate access to emergency support is non-negotiable—yet a critical technological gap left staff vulnerable. To meet its commitment to team member safety and well-being, the organization turned to innovative wearable technology. We sat down with Chris Nemets, Regional CNIO for the University of Michigan Health Regional HITS, to discuss the challenge, the solution, and the hard results achieved by deploying a real-time personal alert system. Chris shares the story of how a simple, easy-to-use device is now providing a crucial, life-saving layer of security, transforming isolation into instant support across their facilities.

Before implementing the new wearable technology, what was the specific, critical challenge related to team member safety that your team was facing, and how was it impacting your staff and operations?

Team members at the University of Michigan Health Sparrow and West are facing a troubling and ongoing crisis of workplace violence, with team members experiencing assaults at an alarmingly high rate. Despite the paramount importance of team member safety, a significant technological gap existed, leaving staff vulnerable in high-risk areas like patient rooms. In these enclosed environments, health professionals often lack immediate access to emergency assistance, a lapse compounded by the absence of real-time, wearable safety technology. The inability to call for help instantly puts team members in precarious situations and contributes to a hostile and unsafe working environment.

Without real-time personal alert systems, our team members at UMH Sparrow and West work without some essential protection. This not only impacts team member safety but also undercuts team member well-being, retention, and morale, creating a vicious cycle of under-reporting and burnout. Addressing this issue with effective, accessible technology is essential for fulfilling the institution's commitment to team member safety and ensuring a secure environment for all team members.

When you began the search for a solution, what was the core proposal that Canopy's wearable technology offered to resolve this challenge? How was this system designed, in theory, to alleviate the risk and anxiety your team members were experiencing?

We set out on a search to find a technology to address the rising crisis of workplace violence, with a goal of finding a simple and easy wearable device, which led us to Canopy, as they offer a powerful safety solution that works seamlessly across many locations. When a team member is in an unsafe situation, they can just press the button, and it instantly sends an alert to their coworkers, security teams, and even the police-turning isolation into instant support for our team. With a plug-and-play design, there is a minimal learning curve, making it simple for everyone to use right away. Plus, the individual buttons have a long, 7-year battery life, which means these devices work reliably without the burden of daily charging or maintenance worries. This focus on simplicity ensures that getting help is always fast and easy.

Walk us through the actual implementation. Who were the initial users, and what steps did your team take to ensure the technology was integrated seamlessly into their daily workflow? Also, are the duress buttons integrated with any other security or IT systems, and if so, can you tell us which ones?

In the crucial pre-implementation phase, our focus was on developing a duress system that was both low-friction and consistently available for the end-user. We selected a slim, discreet duress button, designed to fit seamlessly behind a team member’s standard-issue badge. This design decision, combined with the device's extended battery life, ensures "set-it-and-forget-it" peace of mind for our team members’ experience. Once the device was associated with a team member, they did not have to remember to carry a separate unit, thereby guaranteeing it would always be on their person and ready for use. The initial rollout targeted the nine areas of our main hospital with the highest incidence of workplace violence, with participation invited, not mandated, for all clinical and non-clinical staff. The team's positive reception was driven by the system's expansive coverage, which extends beyond the hospital interior to include critical outdoor areas like parking lots. This feature, along with the ability to route alert notifications to personal cell phones via text message, provides a comprehensive and reassuring layer of security.

What are two or three key success metrics you've achieved since deploying this technology, particularly at the UMH Sparrow site? For each metric, can you elaborate on how the duress system directly contributed to that success?

The newly implemented duress badge system delivered immediate results in the main ED. Just an hour and a half after deployment, a nurse used the badge to summon security during a violent incident, with the team responding in under 45 seconds. This represents a major efficiency gain over the previous phone-call process. Over the first six days, the badges were used in 18 incidents: 14 were managed by security, one was resolved before security arrived, and three were false alarms. The program also saw widespread acceptance among staff, with over 1,400 badges deployed and only eight staff members opting out.

Based on your experience, what is the most important piece of advice you would offer to other healthcare organizations that are currently considering implementing a similar personal duress or wearable alert system?

Don't just buy a new duress system and give it to your staff. Bring your nurses and other team members into the conversation from the very start. Ask them what works, what doesn't, and what would make them feel safer. 

In moments of stress, complexity hinders action. Look for solutions that are straightforward to use-like a quick double press of a button to rally support. I am sure you will find this makes it less daunting for team members, and more likely they use it.  And if it's built tough enough to handle daily hospital life, they'll trust it more. This process will make your employees feel heard and protected, leading to a better, more reliable system for everyone.