Types of Panic Buttons on the Market (But are they Fit for Healthcare?)
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There are many types of panic buttons on the market, but few are built for the unique demands of healthcare. In this environment, technology must work every single time, without fail, and just as importantly, it must be trusted, accepted, and willingly adopted by the frontline staff who rely on it for their safety.
Types of Panic Buttons
Wearable Continuous RTLS Panic Button
An RTLS panic button uses technologies such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to identify a staff member’s location when an alert is activated. RTLS systems are often designed for workflow optimization, continuously tracking staff movement to improve operational efficiency. However, many nurses are reluctant to wear RTLS badges because they do not want to be monitored throughout the day. When a panic button is pressed, the alert is transmitted through the facility’s network and attempts to determine the user’s location based on nearby access points, beacons, or sensors. While RTLS can integrate with hospital software and provide advanced analytics, its accuracy is highly dependent on the density and placement of sensors, the building layout, and potential wireless interference. These systems also require significant installation investments, ongoing maintenance, and regular IT calibration to maintain acceptable accuracy.
Fixed-Point Panic Button
A stationary, permanently installed panic button placed on walls or under desks in critical locations such as patient rooms, hallways, reception areas, and behavioral health units. When activated, it immediately triggers an alarm to security or a central monitoring system. These are reliable because they often use hardwired connections, eliminating signal loss or network dependency. However, they only help if the staff member can reach the device during an escalating or physical emergency.
Cell Phone Panic Button
A mobile device carried by staff that can be activated discreetly during a threatening situation. These mobile devices allow staff to call for help no matter where they are in the facility. Mobile buttons may rely on Wi-Fi, BLE beacons, or RTLS for locating the user after activation. While they provide freedom and mobility, their reliability can vary based on battery life, network quality, and signal penetration in older hospital buildings.
Wearable Non-Tracking Panic Button
A purpose-built, hardwired, and non-network-dependent panic system engineered specifically for hospital staff safety. A non-RTLS system uses dedicated infrared sensors and hardwired infrastructure to deliver exceptionally accurate room-level or even sub-room-level location information only at the moment the button is pressed. By operating independently from the hospital’s network, it eliminates issues related to Wi-Fi interference, bandwidth congestion, and signal degradation, resulting in ultra-fast response times, extremely high reliability, and minimal false alarms. This type of system is designed for the most demanding clinical environments such as behavioral health, emergency departments, and isolation units where rapid and dependable staff protection is critical. Because it does not continuously track staff, location is captured solely during an active alert. This avoids the “big brother” perception often associated with real-time tracking technologies, helping staff feel trusted and respected. As a result, it supports stronger morale, reinforces autonomy, and demonstrates that leadership’s goal is to empower staff with a safety tool rather than monitor their movements.