Hospital and Clinic Security

[mlewi1]

I would like to invite others in the field of policing and security for hospitals and clinics to begin a discussion of relvant topics to that field. What are the current issues in hospital and clinical policing and security? How do address those issues? etc.

[GCMC Security]

Great Idea! I was actually thinking about asking if we could have a section for Hospital/Healthcare Security Officers.

[N. A. Corbier]

Just throw a topic up about anything professionally related you want.

[Warren]

Ive never done hospital or clinic security, but Im sure that many of us have dealt with the same threats, and that is bio-hazards.

My biggest concern is dealing with someone who is diseased, esp. with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and so on. Therefore, I prepare myself as if everyone was sick, just in case I ever have to get physical with them.

Im sure that the health threat is a large concern for those in the hospital/clinic field.

[Echos13]

Those jobs are pretty demanding around here. Not in personnel but in the job it’s self. Too many issues of dealing with nastily little things like bios, blood and air borne stuff. But those that do it have my respect. To me if I wanted to work in that kind of environment I might as well be an EMT or a Paramedic.

[Tennsix]

Those jobs are pretty demanding around here. Not in personnel but in the job it’s self. Too many issues of dealing with nastily little things like bios, blood and air borne stuff. But those that do it have my respect. To me if I wanted to work in that kind of environment I might as well be an EMT or a Paramedic.
It has been my experience that a lot of hospital officers are EMT or EMT-P certified. I know a few that transferred from security to EMS or ED.

[Echos13]

Indeed, a few I have encountered during ATM calls to a few hospitals and clinics have such backgrounds. But I have also noticed that a few other medical institutions do not. Some places will give you the training while others prefer you already have it. And others pretty much have nothing. But I am amazed (though not surprised) that the pay is not much more than most guard jobs in Florida. And from what I have seen many have allot of multitasking duties that cross over to almost orderly and medical support likes duties. Or another words that good old value added services thing. Not to mention dealing with mental patients, prisoners and JV’s that are brought in. Most of the staff I have seen is neither armed nor have anything to protect themselves with other than a radio or a flashlight. Our major hospital here has a large security staff. I understand they depend on police response for serious issues and safety in numbers to suppress hostiles. I am curious though as to who teaches the classes and certifies the officer? I assume being in-house that’s where it would be given. That or a local college or university with medical instructors. Again, intriguing work but not my cup of tea.

[GCMC Security]

But I am amazed (though not surprised) that the pay is not much more than most guard jobs in Florida.

This Hospital is actually TWC's lowest paying Contract for CPOs. While a new contract has been approved for more money, it's sitting in the hospital's CFO's office and he is on Vacation!

As for value added services...there are a few. I provide a TSO (traditional security officer...entry level) Valet (yes I said valet) between the hours of 7-5. I guess it's not really value added because it is written into the contract and it is actually a value to me because my vurrent one is a former corrections officer and she is available to assist the day shift.

When it comes with dealing with Bloodborne Pathogens. I tell my officers they are NEVER to enter a room or area where it may become possible to lay hands on a patient without gloves on. Florida has the Baker Act which means a DR can admit a patient for psych reasons especially if they may pose a threat to themselves and others. When this happens in the ER we post an officer to watch them until admited to a room (nursing unit then provides a Sitter) or sent to Bay Behaviorial (psych facility) The good thing about the Baker Act is it gives us the authority to keep them on the property by appropriate means (gives us permision for hands on).

I've worked this hospital on and off for a few months before I was selected to transfer here as the Supervisor. I must say it is amazing what you will see in here (especially spring break :D )

[ycaso77]

As the hospital here as its own security/police I can't really speak on thier duties. The university has a private clinic for students/employees- all departments in one bldg. from quick care to convalescent stay. Officers posted there on 2nd shift do the traditional meet and greet at the main entrance, control the waiting room area and building checks. Third shift the main entrance closes so the s/o will let people in, get a basic symptom report then phone the nurses upstairs. They come down and p/u the patient. The only different thing is they're reminded they are not emts/pa's or doctors- a couple trid to diagnose callers over the phone. Anything serious call the PD and security dispatch centers. So nothing really special there. Several Child Developmental Disorders clinics call for a little more training in tact and handling disturbed children and thier parents. Still its hands off and call the PD if anything serious arises. I've noticed also pay for these jobs seems to average what you'd get for gate duty at a warehouse. Not much incentive for the many serious issues you can run into in an e/r enviornment.

[N. A. Corbier]

My local hospital has two security guards, unarmed, unequipped, and untrained. One is posted at the front door of admitting for valet duties. The other is a rover, and usually stays with the first one.

There are others that roam around, but the facility is too large to adequately determine numbers. Judging by their lack of portable radios, weapons, flashlights, and other gear, they are there to observe and observe.

[HotelSecurity]

The worse job I ever had was working for Pinkerton at the local mental hospital. (Probably not the political correct thing to call it-sorry). It was great in that I lived exactly a 5 minute walk away from it. The problem was they gave us no training at all. We worked with a beeper, not a walkie-talkie & we worked alone.

[Mr. Security]

The nearest hospital in my area is staffed with WBS. Only one guard is on duty for this large hospital, and they are assigned to the ER when not making rounds. The guard has minimal training, has no means of self-defense, and no back-up except for a police response.

The poor guard must deal with EDP's, ETH's, and other unruly patients. In addition, the guard must perform patient watches, assist the ER staff in restraining patients, and take deceased patients down to the morgue and place them in the coolers.

The security company violates its own policy of requiring 2 officers on duty at all times in the ER, deliberately is vague in the post orders about the guards role in restraining patients so that they can say: "We never told you to do that." When I worked for that company, they tried to get me to work there. I refused to until they specified what the guard is permitted to do when physical action is necessary.

They dropped the matter because there is no way they want to put it in writing because of the potential liability. One guard for the entire hospital with multiple entrances. What a joke. :(

[IrishGuard]

Not wishing to trivialise the situation, but I guess if you are going to get stabbed there would be no better place than this hospital.

This Hospital was at the forefront in the treatment of victims from the riots in Northern Ireland during the past 30 years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4856828.stm

[Warren]

Not wishing to trivialise the situation, but I guess if you are going to get stabbed there would be no better place than this hospital.

This Hospital was at the forefront in the treatment of victims from the riots in Northern Ireland during the past 30 years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4856828.stm


Hahaha, getting stabbed would be the least of my concerns...nothing like getting HIV and having a life sentance..for <10$ an hour

[HotelSecurity]

500 hotel rooms x 4 guests per room + 1000 people in the banquet salons & 1 unarmed Security Officer. That's the way it is at my downtown hotel sometimes.

[Bill Warnock]

This input has been wonderful. Not let us look at the larger picture. Are these facilities ready for hostile acts such as kidnapping, pharmacy theft, armed persons intruding into the hospital or clinic. Clinics for the most part are in leased space and have no one responsible for security. From my surveys of facilities near hospitals and clinics, I made it my business to check these facilities along with the security manager or the client’s designated representative. I have not found one, not a one prepared for such an event. We have seen from TV and reading news print these events have happened. Comply with demands of the person to minimize loss of life, injury or damage to the facility was the normal response. Duress procedures to include devices, words or countersigns were alien to the persons interviewed.
Other comments consisted of Mr. Warnock you are scaring me or my staff or the lady stating she would wet herself or the gentleman stating he’d brown his drawers.
Security plans must be developed, properly staffed, tested and put into place.
My fellow professionals, we are in a different world, not one of our youth. Action is required of us. Now the million dollar question, is anybody out there listening?
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Mr. Security]

No. They aren't listening. Most take the ostrich approach towards security and stick their heads in the sand and hope for the best. Many hospitals are barely solvent and do not have the funds for additional security. Others just don't see it coming or think we are acting like "chicken little."

Like so many other tragedies, changes will be made AFTER innocent people are injured and killed. Then the finger pointing starts. Next come the denials that they could have done something to stop it. After that, a report costing considerable taxpayer funds to tell us what went wrong. Finally, time passes, people forget, and the next incident happens. Then the whole process starts again. Duh! :rolleyes:

[LavianoTS386]

...Not to mention dealing with mental patients, prisoners and JV’s that are brought in.

In cases of mental patients and prisoners, that hasn't been much of an issue for us at St. Mary's (Troy, NY). Usually when a prisoner comes into the ER or maturnity section corrections officers are with the patient at all times, usually with knight sticks waiting.

There isn't a psych-ward in our hospital so when the crazys show up we have the police remove them from the property and to the nearest well equipted hospital.

At St. Mary's there is only one guard on duty between 12am-4pm, at 4pm two guards are on until 12am. There really should be two on at all times, but St. Mary's is non-profit. The biggest part of our job is access control and enforcing the smoking policy. Occasionally we're called to Detox or the ER for a person who's being unreasonable. We're required to do at least 6 patrols (3 per officer) and 4 (for when only on guard is on duty)

The parking garage is free, thus we arn't always in the security booth meaning more then once we've had cars broken into and stolen. The switchboard operators have the view to the security cameras not us, which is bad because most of the time none of them look at them, save for the one thats over the door to their own room.

The worst part about it is the drunks, the ER staff simply tells us to "keep an eye on them" and seldom very much more that that; hopefully this will change in coming talks.

[astorms]

I worked at a hospital in the province of Alberta for just over a year in the capacity of Special Constable. This hospital was several million square feet in size and constantly under construction. As Special Constables, we had more authority than security officers, as we were licensed 'Peace Officers' which enables us to enforce provincial and federal statues. There were 6 Special Constables, usually two on at a time. In addition to that, we had a full compliment of contracted security officers. On any given shift, there would be 2 Special Constables, and up to 7 guards. The Constables were outfitted with Asp batons, cuffs, lights etc. The guards had all the same equip, except for baton, as legislation does not permit it.

As far as the facility goes, pretty damn secure. On any given day, there are between 15-20,000 visitors, patients, employees and public who used this facility. During regular hours, the hospital was very open, as technically, it is a 'public place'. At night, locked down tight! Very secure, but could have used more CCTV. Hospital was very prepared for child abductions, suicides, thefts, robberies and any disaster.

Looking back on it, it was a well run facility. I must agree with the complimentary services. As most hospitals are unionized (except security) we got left with many things if the person whose job it was didn't want to do it. So many things could fall under 'safety and security'. So, we always looked at the big picture, wanting our hospital to be the safest and most secure. I personally had to shovel off the helicopter landing pad during a snow storm, as the glycol system had failed. Had a helicpter had to land, they wouldn't have been able to. But, it comes with the job i guess.

Hospitals are complex facilities. I don;t know how things work down there, but more often than not, each hospital here has an in-house security dept that runs the show, and the contract guards do the work. Seems to work well. Hospital security can be very boring, and on the flip side, totally crazy!

[HotelSecurity]

Maybe in oil rich Alberta, but not in poor Quebec :D. In Montreal I believe ALL of the hospitals use rent-a-cops (sorry I mean Contract Security Officers). I don't think there are any in-house left. There are very very few Special Constables either. The only ones I can think of are the Universite de Montreal.

[Night Shift]

It has been my experience that a lot of hospital officers are EMT or EMT-P certified. I know a few that transferred from security to EMS or ED.
Many Hospital Security Officers, like myself, have also and/or currently Police Officers and/or Sheriff's Deputies as well as EMT's

[crankloud]

I am sitting in a psych ward as i write this,(not as a patient). Hospital security has it's moments especially psych. We are trained in aggression minimisation and takedown techniques and try to practice these moves whenever possible. I never work alone, i basically stand in between the nurse or magistrate and patient as a human shield and hope for the best. I always remember my stance and to watch for any movement from the patient. I look really paranoid some days, better paranoid than dead.

[aka Bull]

In my city a large majority of people found under the influence of narcotics or alcohol are brought to our hospital emergency department for "treatment". This means (90% of the time) in them being held in the ER until they are "fit" to be sent to the local detox facility (one does not go to the county jail "tank") or released back out on the streets. These people are a large portion of the disrutpive/assaultive behaviorial cases we have to deal with in the ER.

I was wondering if this is something that happens elsewhere as a general rule or if our city is outside the norm.

It seems a large waste of effective use of emergency room beds, that's what the detox facility should be doing.

[GCMC Security]

In my city a large majority of people found under the influence of narcotics or alcohol are brought to our hospital emergency department for "treatment". This means (90% of the time) in them being held in the ER until they are "fit" to be sent to the local detox facility (one does not go to the county jail "tank") or released back out on the streets. These people are a large portion of the disrutpive/assaultive behaviorial cases we have to deal with in the ER.

I was wondering if this is something that happens elsewhere as a general rule or if our city is outside the norm.

It seems a large waste of effective use of emergency room beds, that's what the detox facility should be doing.

Here they have to be cleared medically to go to the detox facility. Once they clear medically we call PD to transport them outta here (unless the get Baker Acted which has happened)

[Tennsix]

Here they have to be cleared medically to go to the detox facility. Once they clear medically we call PD to transport them outta here (unless the get Baker Acted which has happened)
Same here. We have to take the prisoner to the hospital if they test .24% BrAC (or above) and/or appear to be intoxicated on drugs.

[T202]

In my city a large majority of people found under the influence of narcotics or alcohol are brought to our hospital emergency department for "treatment". This means (90% of the time) in them being held in the ER until they are "fit" to be sent to the local detox facility (one does not go to the county jail "tank") or released back out on the streets. These people are a large portion of the disrutpive/assaultive behaviorial cases we have to deal with in the ER.

I was wondering if this is something that happens elsewhere as a general rule or if our city is outside the norm.

It seems a large waste of effective use of emergency room beds, that's what the detox facility should be doing.

I worked in-house hospital security for about a year. We did the same thing, drunks and overdoses were treated in the ER until they were well enough to be discharged. We would have to do what they called a "One to One" with the "patient". This meant that we would have to sit in the ER room with them until they sobered up. If they became combative, they were put in restraints and given a "happy shot". It was a big pain in the neck.

[aka Bull]

I worked in-house hospital security for about a year. We did the same thing, drunks and overdoses were treated in the ER until they were well enough to be discharged. We would have to do what they called a "One to One" with the "patient". This meant that we would have to sit in the ER room with them until they sobered up. If they became combative, they were put in restraints and given a "happy shot". It was a big pain in the neck.

We do the same at our hospital. The "patient" ends up on security watch (we have 2 in-house officers assigned in the ER all the time - and can bring in more if we need to). There are a fair number of fights with them, usually ending in them getting restrained to the bed and occassionally (when they push it far enough) with some of them getting hit with a Taser shot to get control of them. It is a lot of intensive one-on-one time that could best be spent in other work. Oh, and the local detox facility - if the "patient" get there and exhibits so much as a "disagreeable attitude" they send them right back to us to handle as "too hostile for detox".

[N. A. Corbier]

Hey, folks, I need something for a friend. Can someone appropriate/acquire/beg/borrow/steal enough information to give a clueless hospital director of security (Not the friend) who has no previous experience in security information?

Here's the story.

I have a friend who is a LEO, and also works for a hospital as a teacher. Since he's a LEO, they're asking him for advice on how to do the Hospital Security thing. It is in the State of Missouri. There are no written policies to be found, and the guards (They're called Guards, not Officers) are there for visual deterrance as much as anyone can figure out.

They are not authorized to use force, I was told their force options are "very limited." They are going to recieve training in self-protection, but that's it. They carry handcuffs, but may not carry other weapons.

They are responsible for executing a physician's hold order, but not for criminal intervention. So, they are required to take patients who have been proscribed restraint down, and they are required to take patients who attempt to "walk-away" down. They do not intervene in criminal issues, however.

Its a blank slate. This isn't my type of operation. You hospital guys know what I'd be putting on them: Tasers, Batons, Flashlights, Gloves, and Cuffs. They'd also be responsible for protecting the ER staff from both patients acting out and violent offenders. Unfortunately, they're not, they're there for visual intimidation only.

I've been asked for a policy. Does anyone have any ideas, help, guidelines, etc for me to draft one? Keeping in mind that the guy giving it to the new director is a LEO, and that the director is clueless.

[aka Bull]

Hey, folks, I need something for a friend. Can someone appropriate/acquire/beg/borrow/steal enough information to give a clueless hospital director of security (Not the friend) who has no previous experience in security information?.....

They are not authorized to use force, I was told their force options are "very limited." They are going to recieve training in self-protection, but that's it. They carry handcuffs, but may not carry other weapons.

They are responsible for executing a physician's hold order, but not for criminal intervention. So, they are required to take patients who have been proscribed restraint down, and they are required to take patients who attempt to "walk-away" down. They do not intervene in criminal issues, however.

Its a blank slate. This isn't my type of operation........

I've been asked for a policy. Does anyone have any ideas, help, guidelines, etc for me to draft one? Keeping in mind that the guy giving it to the new director is a LEO, and that the director is clueless.

What policy or policies are you looking for? Restraining patients (we use RIPP Brand restraints and you have to be qualified to use them), Use of Force (even in self -defense - our officers are trained in the PPCT Defensive Tactics - which I instruct), knife self-defense (PPCT SKD), post orders, etc...

You might also direct your friend to search around on the International Association of Hospital Safety & Security (IAHSS) website www.iahss.org (http://www.iahss.org) (don't know how much he could find there but it may be worth a look).

Give me an idea and I could probably send some of our policies to you for "examples" for your friend. I know from just what you say it's not a hospital I'd work at.

We (in-house officers) are fully equipped and trained, with annual and bi-annual re-certifications (depending on the skill) required to maintain your qualifications/skills.

Oh, you forgot the OC - we carry the foam type.

[N. A. Corbier]

I like OC, but I'd rather deploy a taser than OC, less contamination. :)

I'm not even sure what kind of policy they need. They have nothing. They're operating on cluelessness, as many contract accounts are (They're in-house).

[Bill Warnock]

Nathan, let him read the guide and TSCM materials I sent you. Lock and padlock the door and bar the windows because he'll try to escape.
Security is not the clean fun business many laymen believe it to be.
I made some changes to the guide and will send it after a review.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[crankloud]

I am trying to send you a copy of my hospital security policy, just as a guide. The basic policy and principle here is "equal amount of force". That means if someone punches me i can punch them, if they use a baton, i can. Other policies also include "privacy of medical information", "protecting people and property, first aid policies and fire policies, occupational health and safety policies and many more. Keeping up with policies and procedures is not an easy task, that's why most managers have them on hand( just before they repramand you,they do their homework).

[N. A. Corbier]

Bill: When I recieve it, I'll pass it on. The guy's a 12 year EMS vet, as well as 10 year LE vet. He's been on SIW and has looked at the stuff you post, and "yelled" at me about "Where did you find this guy?! Why isn't he anywhere I am?!"

Crankloud, you can send it to me at nacorbier (!at) cityscapesolutions.net

I can read any file format on the face of the Earth.

[aka Bull]

I am trying to send you a copy of my hospital security policy, just as a guide. The basic policy and principle here is "equal amount of force". That means if someone punches me i can punch them, if they use a baton, i can. Other policies also include "privacy of medical information", "protecting people and property, first aid policies and fire policies, occupational health and safety policies and many more. Keeping up with policies and procedures is not an easy task, that's why most managers have them on hand( just before they repramand you,they do their homework).

We use the one-plus-one theory in use of force. I can respond one level higher than the force used against me (if the person tries defensive resistence I can use pain compliance techniques to get them to stop). Our use of force policy also dictates use of force reporting, medical attention requirements, authorized equipment and who can carry them, and state law covering use of force, etc... It has become quite lengthy itself.

Medical information privacy at our hospital can be summed up in one acronym - HIPPA.

As for the managers only reviewing a policy at reprimand time - ain't it the truth. Our Director of Security doesn't keep our policies current, one of the Supervisors takes that task on and our Director signs off later on them.

[aphilpot]

I am trying to send you a copy of my hospital security policy, just as a guide. The basic policy and principle here is "equal amount of force". That means if someone punches me i can punch them, if they use a baton, i can. Other policies also include "privacy of medical information", "protecting people and property, first aid policies and fire policies, occupational health and safety policies and many more. Keeping up with policies and procedures is not an easy task, that's why most managers have them on hand( just before they repramand you,they do their homework).

First off, it is great to see a thread on Hospital / Clinic Security. Perhaps this will take off and we can have a new category established?

Being new around here, most of you don't know me. I am a Manager of Security for a 240 bed hospital facility with an attached 140 bed PCH (Personal Care Home) and a 95 unit "assisted living" complex (unattached but on the same campus). Our facility is not a major trauma center but does come with all the dressings like Psych, Outpatient clinics, a huge Rehab centre as we specialize in Orthopedic surgery like knee and hip replacements.

Our team is responsible for Physical Security, parking and 1:1 or "constant care" or Mental Health Act patients or intox. patients.

I have been tasked with reviewing and revising our current policy and procedure manual. This is where I need your help. I wrote the manual two years ago and have added/ammended what I can.

Is there any other hospital or similiar site managers/supervisors /officers that can send me a copy of their P&P or SOP's to compare notes and see if I am missing anything?

Hi crankloud - you offered to send to another gent, can I also get a copy of your info?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Alan

[crankloud]

I am currently trying to post copies of relevant policies and procedures manuals to all forum readers, but have had no success yet. I will keep trying. Someones yahoo address would be alot easier to download these. Thanks. Tony.