(MENAFNEditorial) Over the last several years the number of active shooter events throughout the United States have increased so too has the number of these incidents within healthcare facilities.
“Many years ago many people viewed healthcare facilities such as hospitals and medical centers as places of refuge and healing environments. Although they still are for the most part there has been a steady rise in the number of workplace violence incidents as well as deadly shootings” said Security Consultant John M. White CPP CHPA. White went on to say that even though the chances are slim that any given facility will have an active shooter incident there is just no way to predict where the next one will occur so hospitals should be planning now to reduce their risks.
The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety association published the 2014 Healthcare Crime Survey and the report found that 9 out of 10 of the crimes tracked showed either they remained at the same level as 2013 or they rose. In the category of serious crimes they all rose in numbers.
“One of the most difficult types of serious and often deadly crimes that occur within healthcare is an active shooter where someone shoots one or more persons and the most important steps that a facility can take to prevent or respond to such an event is to plan ahead and train staff” said White.
Over the years healthcare security groups have been working on industry standards and best practices for an active shooter in a healthcare setting but for the most part White says that they have been using protocols established for education to plan and train or they were making it up as they went.
“Well now there is a published report titled; Incorporating Active Shooter Incident Planning into Health Care Facility Emergency Operations Plan and it provides healthcare organizations all the tools they need to properly prepare plan and train staff” said White.
According to White there are several things that every healthcare organization can do to improve their security and reduce their risks. They include conducting a security risk assessment to determine all potential security risks that may affect your business and he also recommends that they provide their staff security awareness training.
Protection Management LLC is an independent security consultant firm specializing in Security Management Healthcare Security Retail Security School Security Special Event Security Planning Security Awareness Training Security Risk Assessments and Security Related Litigation Avoidance and/or Support. Protection Management specializes in assisting clients in identifying their security risks and vulnerabilities and providing them with the information to correct deficiencies and reduce their risk.
For more information or to speak to a security consultant call 1.877.686.5460 or visit their website at www.protectionmanagementllc.com for overview of their services background and expertise. You will also find more helpful security tips and get additional safety and security information on their website.
Contact Information
John M. White CPP CHPA
Protection Management LLC
1.877.686.5460
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