The Recent Facility Intruder and How to Be Vigilant in Your Healthcare Facility

“See something, say something!”

The Situation

In the past few months, LHA Trust Funds has been notified by several of our member facilities of a female intruder, dressed in scrubs and posing as a nurse. At least five facilities have been victims of this situation. A woman is roaming through the facility, gaining access to secured areas, and stealing personal belongings, including wallets and other items. This story has aired on local news stations.

In one instance, the intruder used stolen credit cards to go on a $1,000.00 shopping spree.

Although there was no mention that the intruder was armed, there is an obvious threat to the security of staff and patients.

The Solution

Situational Awareness. Security in healthcare facilities is everyone’s responsibility. Even if security staff is on-site, they cannot be everywhere and see everything. Adhering to a “see something, say something” strategy is critical for the safety and security of all staff, patients, and visitors.

When conducting risk assessments in our member facilities, many times we notice:

• Office doors open with purses in clear view.
• Backpacks on counters in nurses’ stations.
• Cell phones, keys, and other personal items left unsecured.

The following guidelines should be followed to maintain security in healthcare facilities and reduce the risk of theft and identify intruders:

• Secure staff and patient valuables in a locker, if available.
• Keep office doors locked, or place purses in a lockable drawer.
• Do not leave personal items in clear view.
• Identify unfamiliar staff personnel by checking their ID badge.
• If someone is roaming through the facility, ask them if they need help finding someone or something.
• At a minimum, encourage staff to speak up if they are suspicious.
• “See something, say something!”

About the Authors

Glenn Eiserloh, CHSP
Senior Risk Consultant

Glenn Eiserloh has more than seventeen (17) years of loss prevention and risk management experience. Mr. Eiserloh has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of New Orleans in Finance with a concentration in insurance. He provides consultation services relative to workplace loss prevention, safety training, general liability risk reduction, worksite safety inspections and trend analysis.

Caroline Stegeman, RN, BSN, MJ, ONC, CPHRM, CPSO
Director of Patient Safety, LHA Trust Funds

Caroline Stegeman has 28 years of nursing and clinical risk management experience in a variety of healthcare settings. She has extensive experience in the management and handling of patient safety issues/ incidents, clinical and environmental risk assessments, root cause analysis, regulatory and industry best practices (TJC, CMS, DHH), hospital emergency preparedness and disaster management, and quality improvement initiatives.