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Working with long-term psychiatric support means being prepared for unpredictable and potentially threatening situations on a daily basis. In Esbjerg municipal housing, employees often work alone, either inside the residents’ own, soundproofed homes or outdoors among the residents. Balancing residents' privacy with staff safety requires smart technology and clear workflows.
The newly built (2019) Kalaparken and Kornvangen accommodations designed for people with mental, cognitive and other special needs. The interior design is based on privacy and independence: all residents have their own home with kitchen and bathroom, so daily routines can be practiced in a safe and supportive setting.
The way residential care facilities are organized today also has its downsides. Employees often work alone behind closed doors in different buildings. Even with skilled staff around the clock, quickly dealing with emergencies can be difficult without the right tools.
For Camilla Haldrup Hauschildt, employee safety is not up for negotiation. It is the basis for both well-being and the quality of our relational efforts.
"Safety is something on which we simply do not compromise. The more confident you feel, the better you perform your social work because you are not on alert the whole time," she says.
In Kalaparken, residents’ complex needs and unpredictable behavior can create situations where it is crucial to be able to call for help quickly. Previously, the solution was that employees always worked together with a colleague.
"It was very resource-consuming because we had to go in pairs. It is not sustainable to keep increasing staff levels," says Hauschildt.
That is why Esbjerg Municipality has adopted Ascom Myco 4, a professional smartphone that brings communication and personal security together in one device. Staff wear the phone at all times and if needed, help can be called with a single press of the alarm button. GPS location ensures that colleagues can quickly find their way around – both indoors and outdoors, even on bike rides or walks with residents.
In Kornvangen, in addition to employee safety, a central goal was to combine several functions in one solution. In Denmark, it is not permitted to lock the doors, even in specialized accommodations. This means that staff must always know if a resident leaves their home or area. As the residents themselves are not safe in traffic, immediate action must be taken. The sensor activates the Myco 4 phone and staff can react quickly and ensure the resident's safety in time.
In the past, this task was difficult to manage. Door alarms ran in a separate system and employees carried around multiple devices: a regular telephone and a separate alarm telephone.
Today, the picture is completely different. All functions are now combined in one robust smartphone, specially designed for professional use. In addition, an iPad serves as the primary platform for documentation and ensures a quick digital overview.
Both Kornvangen and Kalaparken have showed that technology alone does not create security. Clear guidelines and fixed workflows are essential for ensuring that alarms are used correctly and that help arrives quickly, while leaving room for employees’ professional assessment.
"Asking for help is always the employee’s own decision. If you feel that you need a colleague, then you press the alarm," says Pia Lykke.
This approach is supported by thorough training. New employees are already introduced to alarm procedures on their first day of work, and the equipment is tested on each shift. Colleagues remind each other to take the phone with them before walking into a residence or following a resident outside.
"Our employees know that they are never alone. You can be alone with a resident, but help is always just a tap away," adds Camilla Haldrup Hauschildt.
Reliable support from the technology provider has also been crucial. When there were technical challenges, they were solved quickly.
"We have been very satisfied with the support we have received. "Our contact person, Anja Schmidt Edvardsen from Ascom, has been easy to reach and is very solution-oriented," says Lykke.
The phone has an app linked to doors, alarms and epilepsy alarms, so employees no longer need to carry multiple devices. The solution is easy to use and the employees are very satisfied.
