Security in Healthcare Toolkit
Violence in the healthcare setting has continued to escalate over the years. How to address this violence can be challenging for healthcare organizations. An effective security department can be vital to ensuring the safety and security of everyone in the building and on the campus. Security is handled differently depending upon the organization, but each facility’s security plan should be a well-thought-out process that includes at least a designated security leader and collaboration with local law enforcement. This toolkit provides best practices, all-hazards risk assessments, sample policies and other resources that provide guidance for organizations planning effective security programs.Violence Mitigation and Prevention
This section of the toolkit includes guiding principles on mitigating violence in the workplace and providing a framework for reducing violence in the hospital setting. These resources can help implement a workplace violence prevention program by identifying causal factors, risks and prevention strategies.
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Toolkit for Mitigating Violence in the Workplace
A document developed jointly by the Emergency Nurses Association and the American Organization of Nurse Executives to address healthcare issues with workplace violence. The toolkit discusses how to deal with lateral violence as well as patient and family violence in healthcare. This is a valuable guide for nurse leaders to address zero-tolerance policies, risk factors for the organization, workplace violence prevention plans and staff training.
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Sentinel Event Alert 45: Preventing Violence in the Healthcare Setting
An alert published by The Joint Commission (TJC) in 2010 and revised in 2019 to address violence in healthcare. TJC compiled information from 365 reports of violence in healthcare facilities submitted to their Sentinel Event Database from 2010 – 2018. This alert contains information regarding contributing factors and recommended actions that healthcare organizations can take to reduce the risk of violence.
Healthcare Security Programs
It is essential to understand a security program. These resources help build and sustain a security program in healthcare. Sources delve further into risk considerations of law enforcement's presence in the emergency room and guidance to infant abductions.
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Security Toolkit
A resource manual created by the Public Services Health & Safety Association to address workplace violence. The toolkit was designed to assist healthcare organizations in developing effective security programs. This comprehensive guide contains extensive information such as roles and responsibilities of the security program, policy templates, security guard training information, a list of necessary policies/procedures and many other valuable resources.
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Armed Law Enforcement in the Emergency Department: Risk Management Considerations
An article published by the American Bar Association Health Law Section discussing the use of armed law enforcement in healthcare organizations. It recommends best practices for armed security in the healthcare setting.
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Guidelines on Prevention of & Response To Infant Abductions
A document created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to assist healthcare organizations in developing security measures to protect infants and children. This information can be used to train staff, educate patients and develop preventive measures/policies.
Healthcare Security Best Practices
Although it is healthcare's goal to maintain a safe environment at all times, violence remains a significant concern today. It is vital to implement processes to prevent workplace violence. Security practices can include an array of methods. The following documents provide best practices and alternative approaches that may be applied when handling violent encounters.
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Healthcare Security Response Officers Best Practices
Managing security within a healthcare organization is a challenging task. There are various ways that security can be organized within an organization depending upon needs and resources. LHA Trust Funds has created this document as a reference and resource of best practices in the development of a healthcare facility-specific security program. This best practices guide was written with advice from experts in law and healthcare security. Topics covered address issues such as threat management, weapons, handcuffs, body cameras, training and staffing.
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Body Worn Camera Use in Healthcare Facilities
An evidence-based resource developed by the International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security (2015) to address the benefits of body worn cameras by security guards in healthcare organizations. An extensive bibliography and a resource list are included to assist with further information on the topic.
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Violence in Healthcare and the Use of Handcuffs
An evidence-based resource developed by the International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security (2018) to address the issue of handcuffs in the healthcare setting. The document discusses the use of handcuffs in healthcare, regulations that address the use of handcuffs by security officers, patient management and best practices to prevent situations where handcuffs might become necessary.