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The challenges of maintaining a secure hospital are unlike almost any other industry. Most hospitals have relatively easy access because they want to maintain a welcoming environment. At the same time hospitals are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for staff and visitors, and most of all a safe environment for patients. Maintaining sufficient security while at the same time providing a welcoming environment is one of the reasons why hospital security programs require a very unique expertise.
It is not infrequent that in the wake of a specific security breach, such a violent episode in the emergency department or an assault in the parking structure, that a hospital will seek the services of a security consultant in an attempt to mitigate future occurrences. They (hospitals) often request a security review of the affected department, such as the emergency department. However, in most cases the limited review of only the affected department may result in the treatment of merely a symptom of a more overreaching problem.
In most cases those hospitals that identify single issue security breakdowns may be doing so at the expense of ignoring more far more endemic security weaknesses. This means that the symptoms you are aware of very well may be indicative of greater endemic problems. Each department in every hospital organization is inextricably tied in some way, to every other department.
The solution: Treat those security incidents that you know about as symptomatic of a larger problem. This means in may be time for a stem to stern security assessment. The assessment process should obviously include review of all physical security systems and protocols in addition to review of the special security needs of departments such as L&D, Pediatrics, ER, Pharmacy, Behavioral Health, Central Supply and the Business Office. The assessment process should include a review of HR hiring and screening processes. Asst protection protocols should also be reviewed. Security Awareness programs should be assessed for effectiveness as well as assuring they are contemporary. The training of security staff and employees, as relates to security issues should be reviewed.
The point we are trying to make is that when security problems raise their head in a particular department or area within the hospital, assume they are symptomatic of a larger problems until proven otherwise. Identified security problems can be an opportunity to get better. Remember security is an anticipatory discipline with mitigation as the primary objective.
For more information call Bill Nesbitt, CPP at 805/499-3800.
Submitted by:
William H. Nesbitt, CPP
President
Security Management Services International, Inc.
805-499-3800
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