Why Every Hospital Worker Should Have A Breakaway Lanyard

The majority of companies and organizations use lanyards as an easy way for people to display their secure ID badges and access cards. Lanyards are convenient, accessible, and they come in a variety of colors and styles. Sturdy lanyards are considered one of the top options for displaying IDs in businesses, especially in hospitals where an ID badge needs to be shown at all times. Unfortunately, lanyards can be dangerous in certain situations. Thankfully, there are a few made with safety in mind; breakaway lanyards. 

What is a Breakaway Lanyards

Breakaway lanyards are a safety feature that is designed to release the lanyard from around a person's neck if it becomes caught or snagged on something. This can prevent injuries such as strangulation or neck injuries. In a hospital setting, where workers may be moving around equipment or patients, having a breakaway lanyard can be an important safety measure to prevent accidents. Additionally, in the case of a medical emergency, the breakaway feature allows the worker to quickly and easily remove the lanyard without delay, which can be an important factor in time-sensitive situations.

Breakaway lanyards are designed to come apart when the lanyard is pulled on. To understand the necessity of a breakaway lanyard in facilities like hospitals here is why workers should have one.

When Can Lanyards Be Dangerous?

A lanyard could be dangerous in work environments including hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. Lanyards in mental health wards can be a risk as well in the case of an agitated patient grabbing the lanyard and pulling on it. Traditional lanyards will not be effective in environments where employees or others may become aggressive or where employees work in fast-paced close-quarters situations where a lanyard could easily get caught or tangled. A cord around the neck can become a life-threatening object in the hands of the wrong people.

Why Should Hospital Workers Wear Breakaway Lanyard

Hospital workers should wear breakaway lanyards for safety reasons. The breakaway feature is designed to release the lanyard from around a person's neck if it becomes caught or snagged on something. This can prevent injuries such as strangulation or neck injuries which can be caused by getting caught on equipment or patients during movement. Additionally, in case of emergency, the breakaway feature allows the worker to quickly and easily remove the lanyard without delay, which can be an important factor in time-sensitive situations. This can be especially important in high-stress or high-risk situations where quick and easy access to ID or other important information is critical.

Provide Some Safety

A healthcare professional will be constantly on the move and working with a variety of medical equipment, machines, and people. Because of this, they are at a higher risk of having a traditional lanyard cause them potential harm. Lanyards that pull apart when caught in a device, on a door handle, or on other objects where a badge would usually get stuck are very useful in such scenarios. The safety feature ensures the breakaway lanyard automatically separates under pressure or physical stress. 

Breakaway lanyards can be set up with a plastic clip that sits at the nape of your neck and gives way when the lanyard is yanked. Other versions have rubber breakaways lower down on the cord that release when pulled on. 

Related Post: 3 Lanyards To Show Appreciation For Your Coworkers

Add Convenience 

In addition to having the breakaway safety feature, breakaway lanyards can be customized to offer more features. Wearing these lanyards without the fear of a choking hazard can allow you to comfortably utilize them in a variety of ways. You can add a retracting badge reel to swipe or scan your ID badge. And for hospitals, there are nonmetallic options that are safe for MRI and imaging rooms. Choose a breakaway lanyard with a belt clip or carabiner if you want to wear it somewhere other than around your neck—this may be a good option if you have concerns about aggressive patients. You can easily customize your breakaway lanyard to suit your needs and never have to worry about safety risks or finding a replacement.

Emergency Response

In case of emergency, the breakaway feature allows the worker to quickly and easily remove the lanyard without delay. This can be especially important in high-stress or high-risk situations such as medical emergencies, where quick and easy access to ID or other important information is critical. For example, if a worker needs to quickly remove their lanyard to access an emergency response button or other emergency equipment, the breakaway feature allows them to do so without wasting time struggling to remove a non-breakaway lanyard.

Professionalism

The lanyard can be used to clearly identify the worker and their role within the hospital, promoting a professional image. This can help to ensure that the right person is providing the right care. The lanyard can also be used to display important information such as a worker's name, role, and department, making it easy for patients, visitors, and other workers to identify them. This can be particularly useful in a large hospital or healthcare facility, where it can be difficult to know who is who.

Breakaway lanyards are designed with the wearer’s safety in mind. Visit the Specialist ID website to browse our archive of breakaway lanyards.