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It’s inevitable- after a gun-related incident or shooting at a hospital in this country, the media coverage almost always includes the line “The hospital does not have metal detectors.” This statement insinuates that metal detectors are common in hospitals in the US (they’re not) and that they would have prevented the incident (not always true).

However, with gun violence in our society bleeding…

Test Your Hospital’s Security Dynamically Using Red Teams

Check out my latest article in Campus Safety Magazine to learn how you can evaluate your security measures in a realistic and cost-effective manner.  Click HERE to read it now.

Use of Force: Non-Lethal Defensive Tools (Part 3 of 3)

A prisoner being treated at a hospital suddenly disarms the deputy guarding him, shooting and killing him with his own service weapon.  The prisoner, now armed and not wearing handcuffs, poses a lethal risk to anyone else in the hospital who might try to stop him.  Hospital security officers, armed with TASERs, respond to the scene and deploy a TASER to stop the threat and subdue the prisoner.…

Terrorism and Active Shooter Resources for Hospitals

The recent terrorism events across the globe and now here on American soil have demonstrated that everyone must be prepared to deal with a variety of threats from terrorists- both foreign and domestic.  Further, with active shooter events continuing to climb in the US, preparedness for this threat is absolutely paramount to any emergency preparedness planning.

The attacks in Paris and in San…

Anti-Terrorism Strategies for Hospitals

Given the horrific events in Paris this evening, it’s no doubt that many of you will be looking at your security posture in regards to terrorism.  That’s why I’m posting a link to my previous article on anti-terrorism strategies for hospitals. Read the original article HERE.

3 Reasons Why Your Emergency Department Is At Risk For Violence

It’s no secret that Emergency Departments (EDs) are volatile places- people from all walks of life pass through these departments with a variety of emergent ailments and bring their stress, anxiety, and anger along with them.  From someone having a psychotic break to someone who just fell off a ladder, many patients arrive at the ED having the worst day of their lives.  The behavior of these…

Use of Force: 4 Questions to Evaluate Your Defensive Tactics Program (Part 2 of 3)

Two hospital security officers encounter a violent patient in the Emergency Department.  He has already shoved a nurse to the floor and has shattered a window.  The officers quickly determine that verbal deescalation is not working, so they resort to going hands on with him to prevent further injury to the staff.  However, both officers have received only minimal training in defensive tactics and…

Use of Force: Is Your Policy Solid? (Part 1 of 3)

I hope you’re not reading this right now and saying to yourself, “I don’t have a use of force policy.”  While it’s not completely abnormal for hospital security departments to lack a solid use of force policy, the absence of a policy can unnecessarily expose your organization to liability.

In this post, we will examine some elements of an effective use of force policy that you should consider…

Active Shooter: Resources for Safety

In the wake of today’s tragic shooting in Oregon, I thought I would post some resources for active shooter preparedness.  

I’m sure that many healthcare security professionals will find themselves answering concerns from their hospital communities about this incident tomorrow.  

Also, it’s never a bad idea to reevaluate your preparedness for such a rare, but devastating event. Follow the links for…

Are Drones a Threat to Your Hospital?

The recent incident at the U.S. Open highlighted the ongoing and evolving threat posed by drones.  In this case, a relatively high-security, high-profile event was infiltrated by a teacher who allegedly lost control of his drone. While the drone crashed harmlessly in an empty area of the stands, it still caused panic among spectators and players and disrupted the event.

So, if someone can fly a…

Mitigating the Disgruntled Employee Threat

The tragic incident in Virginia this week that left two well-respected news employees dead is a stark reminder of the threat posed by disgruntled employees.  Whether the employee is currently employed or has already been terminated, it is important to take a multidisciplinary approach to examining the threat posed by him/her.  

Threat management is an art as well as a science that requires…

Does Your Hospital Need A Gunshot Detection System?

I know what you’re thinking right now: “What is a Gunshot Detection System and why do I need one?”  Those are both great questions and I intend to answer both of them and then some in this post.  First of all, a gunshot detection system is what some describe as a “fire alarm for an active shooter event”.  A fire alarm system lies dormant with sensors all over your hospital and only activates when…

Woman Shot, Assailant Killed In Canadian Hospital ER

Yesterday afternoon, in Guelph, Ontario, a woman was shot in the Guelph General Hospital ER and her assailant was later killed by responding police.  The scene unfolded in the middle of the afternoon in the waiting area of the ER.  Read more on the story here.

Also, be sure to check out resources for active shooter preparedness here.

2015 Healthcare Crime Survey Released by IHSSF

The International Healthcare Security & Safety Foundation (IHSSF) has released the 2015 Healthcare Crime Survey.  Among some of the notable findings (per 100 beds):

12% increase in the Violent Crime Rate in 2014 compared with last year and a 40% increase since 2012.

Significant decreases in the Assault and Disorderly Conduct rates.

44% of aggravated assaults and 46% of assaults occurred in Emerge…

3 No-Cost Ways To Enhance Your Security Program

Is your security budget tight?  Are you doing more with less these days?  You are not alone.  Hospitals across the country are in a never-ending quest to be more cost efficient to survive in a highly competitive market.  Security leaders must adapt to these leaner times and get creative with how they keep their facilities and hospital communities safe.

I’ve put together three no-cost ideas to…

OSHA Updates Workplace Violence Prevention Guide for Healthcare

OSHA has released an updated version of their guidelines for the prevention of workplace violence against healthcare and social workers.  This is the first update since the last version was published in 2004.  Read the new publication here.

Patient Prisoners – Mitigating The Risk

A Virginia hospital became the site of a dramatic escapeby a prisoner who was being guarded by two private security officers hired by the US Marshal’s Service.  The prisoner was later captured after an extensive manhunt, but not before a shot rang out inside the hospital as the prisoner made good his escape from the facility.  Luckily, in this case, no one was harmed by the felon, but other…