UM Health-West Expands Wearable Duress System Campuswide
The health system is distributing 1,875 wearable duress devices to employees, extending a system first piloted in its emergency department.
- By Danielle Naidu
- September 29, 2026
University of Michigan Health-West is distributing 1,875 Canopy Protect wearable duress devices to employees after testing the system in its emergency department beginning in 2023.
A double press sends the employee's name and location to hospital security dispatch. Nearby employees also receive an alert through their Vocera badges. The device does not begin tracking an employee's location until an alert is activated.
Nearly 900 gateway sensors have been placed indoors, with another 145 installed outdoors. The expanded coverage includes the Professional Building, Conference Center, parking lots and walking paths.
Other security measures at the hospital include K9 teams introduced in November 2025 and an AI-enabled weapons-detection system at the emergency department's public entrance. The UM Health-West Foundation funded the Canopy Protect expansion.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.