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Let us see if you agree with a few basic assumptions. Would you agree that every hospital does not need a fully-qualified security management team running its security program on a full-time basis? Would you also agree that every hospital, whether large or small, does need the guidance of a security professional several times in the course of a year?
Why do all hospitals need security expertise from time to time?
The answers are many. They include reducing the probably of security-driven litigation. There is also the need to optimize the protection of patients, visitors and staff as cost-efficiently as possible. Hospitals also must meet the ever-increasing demands of regulatory bodies such as JCAHO, OSHA and the States. Hospitals are slowly beginning to see the need to stop the out-flow of supplies and equipment as a result of theft and fraud. Hospitals are beginning to have their data bases penetrated and patients' rights to privacy are threatened. Infants and children are being kidnapped while under the care and control of the medical facility. Assaults are occurring in emergency departments and parking facilities; at the same time, staff are either inadequately or improperly trained to cope with these threats. Finally, when there are security problems, hospitals often respond in a knee-jerk fashion. These responses are often inappropriate and costly.
Many hospitals are operating under the false assumption that the way to solve their security problems is to hire an ex-police officer who has little or no expertise in security and loss prevention. Through no fault of their own, former police officers tend to apply police solutions to security problems and do not understand the budgetary constraints of the private sector. These types of security managers often operate on the assumption that all security problems can be solved by hiring more uniformed personnel because they do not understand how to use security hardware and technology. There are huge philosophical and operational differences between policing and security, especially in the health care arena. Most hospitals don't find this out until the security budget is out of control, the security program is ineffectual, and/or the hospital is slapped with a lawsuit. The police are primarily reactive; security professionals are pro-active. In the next few paragraphs we will briefly highlight some examples of the security challenges that are best addressed by a security professional.
Security Litigation
Hospitals are being sued because of parking lot assaults, infant kidnapping, as well as attacks on patients by third parties. They are also being sued for intentional torts such as false arrest, false imprisonment and use of excessive force by security personnel. Litigations are often spawned in the emergency room because staff has been either improperly trained or inadequately trained in dealing with aggressive behavior. In some cases, staff are injuring patients or being injured themselves because they do not know how to control aggressive behavior. Bill Nesbitt understands these problems. He has been retained as a security expert in over 150 lawsuits and has testified as to adequacy of security and use of force.
Regulatory Agencies
JCAHO, OSHA and State regulations are all raising the bar as to what is considered reasonable hospital security. Now HCFA has announced patient protection standards that should have been implemented by August 2. Hospitals have a much higher standard of care than most businesses when it comes to defining adequate security. Hospitals that do not meet and/or exceed these minimal standards are inviting negative press, a loss of confidence by the public it serves, as well as litigation.
Fraud and Theft
Research indicates that hospitals are suffering losses of as much as $3,500 per/bed per/year. It further indicates that 1/3 of all employees will steal or commit acts of deception such as the submission of ghost hours. Criminals can walk into most hospitals and help themselves to computers, linens and medical equipment. Despite these realities, most hospitals have no pro-active asset protection program.
Sensitive Areas
In addition to general security concerns there are the very special security needs in the emergency department, L&D, pediatrics, food service, parking facilities and the business office, to name just a few. Those hospitals that wait for the problems to get out of control before acting may never gain the upper hand.
Security Vendors
Hospitals that decide to combat security threats often turn to an array of security providers whose services may range from good to extremely poor. Some security agencies may actually raise the liability factor for the hospitals they are ostensibly hired to protect. Hospitals that do not have the expertise to deal with security vendors may be buying problems instead of solutions. There are choices to be made between contract guards or proprietary officers. Should the hospital use CCTV? How much and where? Should the hospital go with a conventional lock and key system or use a card access system? Is the lighting up to standard? These are all tough questions and require thoughtful responses. The bottom line is if the hospital does not conduct an annual security audit, the security program will continue to flounder and will lack direction and purpose.
The SMSI Solution
SMSI has the low cost answer to all these questions and many more. SMSI has a team of health care security professionals led by William Nesbitt, CPP. SMSI is able to provide your hospital with the security expertise it needs to develop effective security programs that protect patients, staff, visitors and property. This offering assumes that every hospital needs competent security expertise sometime throughout the year, if not on a full-time basis. Hospitals already know the benefits of outsourcing expertise. Now is the time to apply that experience to security. Where does SMSI fit in?
SMSI will provide customized security management support to any hospital in the country for as little as $2,950 per year. The annual charge will be predicated on the number of staffed beds. This one low annual fee, plus expenses, will be based on a three-year contract and will include one two-day visit per year. SMSI will provide additional support by offering their clients unlimited phone and/or e-mail consultation. On the first visit, SMSI will conduct a basic security audit and will review any contracts presently in force with security vendors.
Throughout the course of the contract, SMSI will provide guidelines for RFPs (request for proposals) from security vendors. They will also provide expertise in the vendor selection process. SMSI will also provide expertise to those hospitals facing JCAHO review. For those hospitals implementing a recommended computerized incident program, SMSI will provide semiannual trend analysis reviews, thereby keeping the security program contemporary. These services will ensure that limited security dollars will not be wasted. This program will reduce the probability of security-related lawsuits as well as reduce asset losses.
Any hospital wishing to retain SMSI for a more extensive consultation or other security management services will be provided service at a rate 20% below the standard billing rate. All clients will be provided a complimentary subscription to The Hospital Security Reporter. Clients will also receive an additional insert to this publication, The Hospital Security Tip Sheet. This additional publication will provide innovative, cost-saving solutions to tough problems and will share methods that are working at other hospitals.
If you are interested in this innovative approach to the provision of hospital security, contact Bill Nesbitt today, by phone or e-mail, and ask for a proposal for your hospital. The cost of this service will easily be returned to your hospital through a reduction in security costs and/or a reduction in losses. You may leave a voice mail message at 800/306-8344 or e-mail at smsiinc@aol.com. An effective security program enhances the image of the hospital to the community it serves. Families want the assurance that the hospital is a safe and secure place. There are also positive benefits to employee morale when the work-place is safe and free of crime. One serious security incident may literally take years to overcome. Breeches in hospital security, such as an infant abduction, often reach the national news media. Adverse publicity can result in thousands of dollars in loss and severely harm the reputation of the hospital for years.
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