Across the UK, more than 730,000 nurses devote their lives to the care of our loved ones. Nursing is undeniably a noble vocation, but it comes with its own set of stresses and pressures. Mounting mental and physical strains on nursing staff nationwide are becoming increasingly apparent, prompting significant safety concerns.

Let’s now take a look at some of the ‘top’ safety issues experienced by nursing staff.

Incidents of Violence 

With Kent and Sussex hospitals alone reporting over 1,700 violent incidents within a single year (BBC), with staff being spat at, hit and punched by patients and their families, aggressive behaviour is a large concern amongst our medical professionals.

Nurses, often caring for vulnerable patients, are at the frontline of this tension, with the Royal College of Nursing reporting a 20% increase in reports of abuse from members in 2023. There are many reasons for this rise in abuse toward nursing staff. Vulnerable individuals, including those grappling with mental illness, may inadvertently lash out amidst their own struggles, placing both themselves and nursing personnel at risk. The stress of having a sick loved one can also exacerbate hostile behaviour, and frustration at waitlists and delays to care are also thought to have contributed to this increasing safety issue for nurses.

Implementing support mechanisms and safety protocols to prevent and de-escalate volatile situations and create a safer work environment. Crucially, Pinpoint’s P2 system enables nurses to swiftly summon help in high-risk situations and avert violent behaviour from patients or families. These advanced systems are critical to improving the safety of healthcare staff in work settings.

Mental Health and Burnout 

In nursing last year, a staggering 1.68 million sick days were attributed to stress, with anxiety and depression emerging as the leading causes of illness. Increasingly nurses cite work-life balance as their reason for departure rather than retirement, a significant shift from previous years (The Guardian). Several factors contribute to this feeling of burnout, including extended shift hours, a shortage in NHS staffing, and abuse in the workplace.

Taking proactive measures to ensure that each staff member feels adequately supported is crucial for safeguarding their welfare. At Pinpoint, we often hear staff feel more confident, reassured and safe with our P2 System installed. Without the underlying threat of violence, nurses experience less stress and anxiety, and are able to carry out their daily tasks in peace.

Physical Injury 

Nursing is an inherently hands-on and physically demanding profession, often requiring nurses to be on their feet for entire shifts. Consequently, many nurses have reported experiencing physical strain as a regular aspect of their job. This physical toll can also take a significant mental toll, with 55% of nurses in the US reporting burnout due to physical exhaustion.

Tasks such as lifting, transferring, repositioning, and moving patients, when not performed with proper techniques or equipment, can result in lasting musculoskeletal injuries.

This is why it is important nurses can quickly alert their colleagues for assistance - a helping hand for the tough tasks. 

Beyond the physical, nursing staff often work with and are exposed to hazardous chemicals which may pose a risk to healthcare workers, patients, and others. It's imperative to ensure that all nursing staff receive adequate training and refresher courses on manual lifting techniques and adhere to proper safety protocols, including chemical safety measures.

Are you interested in installing Pinpoint’s staff safety alarms in your workplace? Get in touch with our team here to discuss further