Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/759108
65 FINANCE CMO / CARE DELIVERY security with the tools they need to maintain safety, but not go so far as to increase the risk for patients in the hospital." e decision to introduce armed security personnel in hospitals isn't one- size-fits-all — each system can scale their security system up or down as leaders see the need. At Scripps, Mr. Van Gorder is considering the concept of a rapid response team to respond to violent emergency situations. "While we wouldn't generally arm security, I've been thinking about having a small, highly trained response team of ex-law enforcement or former military police, put them through all the necessary screening and training, and have them on call to respond to a threat anywhere in our health system," he says. "Introducing guns to a hospital increases risk for gun violence, but a small rapid response team doesn't carry the same risks as if you armed all security officers." Northwell Health aims to strike a balance e security model in place at New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is similar to Mr. Van Gorder's rapid response team idea. Northwell Health has about 525 licensed security guards across the sys- tem, according to Mark Solazzo, executive vice president and COO. Of those, just 20 officers — each at the director level — are armed. "You would never know we have an armed force," says Mr. Solazzo. "It's a very small proportion. During our deliberation on the matter, we knew we didn't want to appear as an armed force to patients while still being able to ensure a safe environment." e armed officers, who are all former members of law enforcement, do not stand on the front lines in Northwell Health facilities. ey are intended to be deployed during particularly dangerous situations, such as the event of an active shooter. Otherwise, the health system predomi- nantly relies on unarmed force to maintain security. However, Mr. Solazzo notes each of Northwell Health's 21 hospitals re- quire varying degrees of security measures. "Each hospital is extremely different and their risk profile is different," he explains. "We take that into account as to how we approach visitor access and the number and visibility of security force." Whether armed or not, all 525 of Northwell Health's security personnel are licensed security officers of New York State. ey are also trained on how to control and de-escalate situations involving patients experiencing a mental health crisis, and how to safely restrain them. "We are trying to maintain a balance of a healing and caring environ- ment with comfort and safety," says Mr. Solazzo. "While safety is import- ant, we don't want to alarm the public or make them feel like they are in a restraining environment." Health First's summer decision to enhance hospital security Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First recently introduced armed security officers to its facilities. As of July 21, certain authorized security per- sonnel at Health First, a 900-bed health system comprised of a tertiary hospital and three community hospitals, began carrying a firearm and baton. Stuart Mitchell, Health First's COO, says the idea of arming hos- pital security had been under consideration for a long time, but the July shooting at Parrish Medical Center drove the final decision. "Because of the tragic events at Parrish, we egged it on. But we were probably close to doing this regardless," says Mr. Mitchell. "We have to understand we're living in a world that's changing. We must face the real- ity that there are people out there who want to do harm." e decision to introduce armed security guards adds to Health First's existing security model, which includes a visitor badging system that conducts immediate background checks, enhanced security staffing and processes and upgraded systems to help staff monitor and manage crises, according to a news release from the hospital. Not all security personnel at Health First qualify to hold a firearm. Addi- tionally, armed guards, who are contracted through security vendor G4S, have completed all Florida Department of Licensing Firearms Training required for armed private security officers. is annual certification authorizes the selected officers to carry Tasers. e guards stationed at Health First facilities — primarily in the ER and main entrances — must also pass the same testing that all Florida law enforcement officers are required to complete and maintain their certifications and licenses. In addition to rigorous training, the armed guards at Health First facilities wear holsters designed to guard against someone obtaining their gun. Mr. Mitchell acknowledges concerns about introducing guns in hospi- tals. But he says that since G4S — not the health system — is responsi- ble for organizing the guards' firearm training and certification, hospital staff, patients and visitors can be confident the armed guards are trained by leading security experts and have passed psychological assessments deeming them fit to serve in a hospital setting. "If you think we'd give guns to just anyone, I'd be nervous too," says Mr. Mitchell. "We found a vendor that is a security expert to help us do this. We're not just arming regular people." Overall, Mr. Mitchell says the health system staff and the community have supported Health First's decision to bring on armed security officers. "It's unfortunate that we must take these actions, but through careful and thorough review and implementation, these steps will provide us a greater opportunity to avoid a tragic event within our organization," says Mr. Mitchell. Ultimately, hospitals and health systems must determine the best strate- gy to preserve a safe healthcare environment. While it's unfortunate that violence is becoming more prevalent in centers dedicated to healing and restoring life, healthcare leaders must be vigilant in their mission to pro- tect their patients, staff and visitors. n Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to Double Number of Physicians Following Complaints of Delays By Tamara Rosin C leveland Clinic plans to double the number of physicians staffing its Abu Dhabi hospital after some patients complained it took too long to get appoint- ments, according to The National. The hospital said it will hire 200 additional physicians by the end of 2017 to ensure all patients can be seen within two or three weeks of the scheduling date. Abdulla Al Shamsi, chief administrative officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said the hospital, which began accepting patients in March 2015, has seen an "insatiable demand," according to the report. "We currently have 200 doctors as part of our clinical work- force. This will grow to 400 doctors by the end of next year, and the growth of these doctors will be concentrated on the areas that will address these exact points of demand," Mr. Al Shamsi said, according to the report. n