Alarms for staff at NC mental hospitals unreliable

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina Health and Human Services
officials say the emergency transmitters the state bought to
protect mental hospital workers are plagued by problems and are
rarely used.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports the transmitters have
been replaced by whistles for most workers.

State officials say fewer than 200 of the 950 alarms purchased
since 2003 are being used because of the high frequency of
accidental calls, devices breaking and other problems.

Hospital staff members say they are worried about their safety
and the safety of patients.

Health and Human Services officials say staff injuries have been
reduced over the past year and now are averaging two injuries every
three days.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)