A Commitment to Safety: McLeod Health Leads with 911 Cellular and HealthGuard App
As Executive Director of Safety and Preparedness at the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), I have the privilege of working alongside hospital leaders across our state who continually set the bar for innovation, compassion, and safety. Among those leaders, McLeod Health stands out for its proactive approach to protecting its most valuable resource, its people.
Most recently, McLeod Health took a bold step forward by implementing 911 Cellular, an advanced safety platform designed to provide staff with immediate access to emergency responders at the touch of a button. This system ensures that employees, whether working in patient care areas, administrative offices, or community settings, can connect instantly with help in the event of a safety threat.
McLeod Health has embraced 911 Cellular because it provides multiple levels of notification. It all starts with the BadgeR+, a simple device worn behind employee badges in areas such as the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health areas. With the touch of a button, employees can discreetly request one of three different levels of support for a swift response to a safety incident. The BadgeR+ works in conjunction with the HealthGuard App, a comprehensive safety application on each employee’s mobile device. HealthGuard empowers McLeod staff with a suite of safety tools at their fingertips, from incident reporting and anonymous tips to real-time alerts and two-way communication with security personnel. Its mobile accessibility makes it a powerful resource for staff across McLeod’s hospitals, clinics, and community facilities, ensuring that safety support is always within reach.
Driving this effort is Donna Isgett, President and CEO of McLeod Health. Donna has made safety a defining pillar of McLeod’s mission. Her passion for ensuring the well-being of every team member reflects her belief that healthcare excellence begins with a secure and supportive environment for those who provide care. Donna’s vision has been essential in guiding McLeod Health’s adoption of these technologies.
Equally critical has been the leadership of Mike Puckett, Associate Vice President of Emergency Management/Security, whose deep commitment to safety has driven the successful rollout of both 911 Cellular and the HealthGuard App. Mike worked closely with staff to ensure not only that these technologies are implemented, but also that employees feel confident in using them daily. His work reflects the understanding that true safety comes from pairing tools with training and trust.
This success, however, was not the work of a single individual. It was the result of collaboration across the entire McLeod Health family. From Information Technology, Security to Facilities Management, Clinical Leadership, Human Resources, and the frontline caregivers themselves, every department and team member played a valuable role in designing, shaping, and bringing this initiative live for staff. Their involvement ensured that the rollout was seamless and effective.
SCHA is proud to highlight McLeod Health’s unwavering commitment to safety as an example for hospitals across the state and nation. By investing in tools like 911 Cellular and the HealthGuard App — and by rallying the collective expertise of its dedicated staff — Donna, Mike, and the entire McLeod Health team are affirming a promise to every caregiver and patient that McLeod Health will always put their safety first.
Should you have any questions or need further information, please contact John Williams at jwilliams@scha.org