Enhancing Patient Safety and Experience through use of Safety Pods^TM

Across Canada, health care leaders are striving to improve patient safety, reduce restrictive practices, and embedding trauma-informed care into everyday practice. One innovation making a measurable difference is the Safety Pod™, a therapeutic piece of furniture designed to reduce risk within procedural interventions while enhancing dignity, comfort, and overall patient experience.

What is a Safety Pod?

The Safety Pod is a medically approved, ergonomically designed support device created for use in situations where physical intervention may be required. Unlike traditional methods of approach, which often involve the use of floor holds or mechanical aids, the Safety Pod enables patients to remain in a safe, seated upright position. This risk reducing position maintains open airways, reduces risk of injury, and allows clearer communication throughout an intervention.

Designed and developed in consultation with clinical, legal, and lived-experience experts, the Safety Pod has been recognised internationally as a breakthrough in restrictive practice reduction. It is not only a safer alternative during crisis situations but also functions as sensory furniture that supports voluntary self-soothing, emotional regulation, and patient autonomy.

The Canadian Experience.

Canadian hospitals are already leading the way in adopting this innovation. In Ottawa, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) became the first Canadian site to integrate Safety Pods into its Inpatient services.  Within six months of implementation, the hospital reported a 91% reduction in high level interventions. Feedback included that interventions became safer, less traumatic, and more conducive to therapeutic engagement.

Building on CHEO’s success, McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton integrated twelve Safety Pods across patient bedrooms and lounges. Their goals were clear: reduce restrictive practices and provide patients with a more therapeutic environment. Staff there describe the Pods as “an extremely positive experience,” highlighting improved staff safety, and better patient comfort. Other institutions for Mental Health Sciences have also begun introducing Pods to adolescent programs. Even in the early stages, patients and staff are reporting that Pods provide a valued space for rest, regulation, and safer intervention.

Why Safety Pods Matter

For decades, healthcare services have grappled with the risks of restraint. Traditional methods can cause both physical injuries and long-lasting psychological trauma. They also risk the therapeutic relationship between staff and patients.

Safety Pods change this equation by providing a safer, dignified and person-centred option. They help protect human rights while also making staff feel more confident and secure. Patients no longer need to be supported onto the floor. Instead, they remain upright, able to communicate, and less likely to experience re-traumatisation.

Safety Pods can be used:

• During crisis as a least restrictive alternative.
• General use, supporting patients to relax and regulate emotions or manage anxiety.
• As sensory furniture in lounges and bedrooms, softening the clinical feel of hospital environments.
• To support planned interventions, reducing risks to both staff and patients.

This versatility ensures Pods are not solely associated with crisis but become part of everyday therapeutic care.

Implementation and Training

Introducing Safety Pods requires thoughtful planning and training. Hospitals that have successfully adopted them, such as CHEO and McMasters recommend:

• Staff engagement – involving nurses, educators, and security teams early in the process.
• Training – using established frameworks such as Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) to ensure consistency.
• Phased rollout – initially presenting Pods as therapeutic furniture before introducing them in higher-risk interventions.
• Leadership support – securing commitment from senior management to prioritise restraint reduction.

A Step Forward for Canadian Health Care

Canada’s early adopters have shown that Safety Pods can transform inpatient care. They reduce restrictive practices, improve staff safety, and create environments that prioritise compassion and dignity. Patients report feeling calmer and more respected, while staff feel empowered with safer tools for de-escalation.

As hospitals nationwide seek innovative approaches to improve safety and patient experience, Safety Pods stand out as a proven, evidence-based solution. They align perfectly with Canadian health care’s ongoing movement toward trauma-informed, patient-centred least restrictive practice.

Is your facility equipped to provide the safest, most compassionate care possible? Discover how Safety Pods can transform your care environment- visit www.safetypodinternational.com to explore our full range of products and services designed to protect and support both young people and care staff.

Learn More

Safety Pod International is actively supporting Canadian hospitals in their adoption journey. From consultation and training to implementation and ongoing evaluation. To learn more about how Safety Pods can enhance safety, reduce restrictive practices, and transform patient experience in your organisation please contact a member of the team via our website enquiry form.