The Value of Pinpoint, Told by a Physical Therapist

As a physical therapist, I work hands-on with patients every day, helping them regain strength, mobility, confidence, and independence. I guide people through difficult, sometimes painful movements. I support them when they’re unsteady or disoriented. I motivate them through frustration and fear. But that also means I’m often in situations where emotions and physical challenges collide. I work in close proximity to patients who may be in pain, confused, impulsive, or experiencing cognitive decline. And because I’m focused on keeping them safe during movement, my own ability to protect myself can be limited. There are moments when fear turns to agitation. When pain turns into aggression. When confusion becomes forceful instability. I love what I do, but I don’t want to feel unsafe doing it.

What I Need as a Physical Therapist: Safety That Works With My Hands-On Role

During a therapy session, my hands are usually occupied. My focus is split between biomechanics, balance, safety, and emotional regulation.

I can’t:

• Pull out a phone
• Step away to get help
• Raise my voice without escalating the situation
• Leave a patient in a dangerous position

I need a safety system that is:

• Immediate. A quick press, even with one hand, during a stressful moment.
• Discreet. Drawing attention to the situation can increase fear or aggression.
• Exact. Colleagues need to know whether I’m in the therapy gym, a patient room, a stairwell, or a hallway.
• Simple. No multi-step processes. No apps. No unlocking devices.

Pinpoint fits naturally into the physical realities of my job.

Why the Two-Tier Alert System Supports Safer Therapy Sessions

Physical therapy involves intense emotional and physical work. Not every moment of tension becomes dangerous, but some can.

• De-escalation alerts allow me to ask for help early, before a situation escalates.

When a patient becomes restless, confused, or overwhelmed, I can quietly request backup. This helps me:

• Keep the patient calm
• Maintain safety without embarrassment
• Bring in another clinician to help stabilize or redirect
• Prevent escalation before it becomes serious

This protects both the therapeutic relationship and everyone involved.

• Panic alerts are there for moments when a situation becomes truly unsafe.

If there’s aggression, a sudden cognitive change, or unpredictable physical force, I need immediate help. I can’t leave a patient unsupported on equipment or stairs. A panic alert ensures I’m not facing those moments alone.

Why Privacy Matters to Me as a Physical Therapist

I move constantly throughout the hospital or rehab center, from patient rooms to therapy gyms to hallways and staircases. I don’t want a system that tracks every step I take. I want safety, not surveillance. Pinpoint’s privacy-first approach gives me peace of mind because:

• My location is only shared when I press the button
• I’m not tracked throughout my day
• My professional autonomy is respected
• Trust between staff and leadership is preserved

I want a tool that supports me, not one that watches me.

What Pinpoint Means for Me as a Physical Therapist

Pinpoint gives me confidence, the ability to focus fully on my patient’s recovery without worrying about my own safety.

It represents:

• A safer environment during hands-on therapy
• Support arriving quickly, exactly where I am
• Fewer escalated situations
• Protection for both staff and patients
• Reduced emotional stress and burnout
• A culture where leadership values frontline safety

When I feel safe, I can challenge patients more confidently, encourage them more boldly, and support them more fully.