Wireless tags plug security hole

RENOVATIONS to Rockhampton Hospital's mental health ward presented a problem for nurses and an opportunity to assess whether radio frequency identification could improve security and safety.

Nurses had relied on a wall-mounted alarm system for support if they were in danger from patients in the ward.

However, the removal of some walls as part of a hospital upgrade left a big gap in staff safety.

Rockhampton Hospital mental health services executive director Chris Mummery says RFID security pendants were seen as a possible fix.

Now, when nurses sign on for a shift they receive a small pendant equipped with a radio frequency identification tag and an alarm button.