Tackling ER Violence with RTLS at Beaumont Health System

While this real-time technology certainly can help with response time during violent incidents, Kowalenko says it is important to focus on prevention as well. “Recognizing the potentially violent person, having the ability to diffuse the situation, using conflict management, calming [him/her] down, and getting [him/her] in a calmer, quieter, darker environment will help. Keep the patient as comfortable as possible and well-informed, and treat [him/her] with respect,” he advises.

It’s also important to think of the clientele that comes in, from the 90-year-old dementia patient who wakes up in the middle of the night, has a horrid dream and lashes out to someone who is going through delirium tremens (DTs), says Hengstebeck. “They all have predictable episodes of volatile behavior and potential violence. All of our staff recognizes that as taking care of the sick and dying. It’s about having another tool to having security respond a little quicker than if they didn’t have it.”