St. Mary's Health System deploys wearable safety technology

St. Mary's Health System has implemented Canopy Protect, a wearable safety technology system, across its entire health system in Maine. The rollout, which began on August 19, provides 1,220 clinical and non-clinical employees with discreet wearable duress buttons.

The technology allows staff to quickly and quietly notify security and nearby colleagues of emergencies. The deployment covers eight buildings across five locations in Lewiston, Auburn, and Poland, including the main campus, d’Youville Pavilion, St. Mary’s Residences, and outdoor parking areas to protect staff during nighttime transitions.

The initiative follows feedback from the health system's Workplace Violence Prevention Committee and culture-of-safety surveys, which identified a need for rapid assistance tools, particularly in areas where accessing a phone is difficult, such as locked units.