1. The Future of Violence in Healthcare

2. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 1.Hold Security Practitioners and Officers Accountable  The future of healthcare security is highly dependent on advanced levels of officer training relative to the sensitive hospital environment.  ED security officers must be specially trained to combat the risks of violence and threats that plague the environment. Certifications through IAHSS are more important today than ever before.

3. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 2.Develop leaders  Directors and other leaders will be expected to achieve and maintain advanced certifications and qualifications. Continual training and obtaining CEUs is vital to staying abreast of best practices and advances in the industry.  Leadership will focus on people versus processes as healthcare security infuses accountability into every security individual on the team.  Not only are professionalism, competency, and certification required as part of the leadership role, but leaders must also be equipped to interpret and demonstrate the healthcare facility’s mission, culture, and overall focus on delivering optimal services in a healing environment.

4. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 3.Impact patient experience  As HCAHPS and other patient experience measurements are utilized, every possible interaction with patients and their families must be considered.  Security professionals have a valuable opportunity to provide a welcoming, inviting, and empathetic greeting to everyone who enters the ED.  The increased pressure on hospitals to reduce operational costs and improve patient outcomes is supported by the healthcare security professional.

5. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 4.Deliver high-risk patient management  Behavioral health patients will continue to enter the ED for treatment as the reduction in resources impacts their ability to obtain care. This high-risk population increases the need for highly trained security professionals who not only ensure the safety and security of the clinical team, but who also ensure the safety of the behavioral health patient.  Environmental design can enhance the patient experience and contribute to a safer environment.  Officers who are trained specifically in healthcare security techniques have the ability to respond quickly and compassionately.  Officers who understand behaviors of concern and the significance of early intervention will become valuable members of the ED team.  Forensic patients also contribute to a higher-risk ED environment, and healthcare security professionals of the future must have the training and experience to effectively support law enforcement in the performance of their duties.

6. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 5.Conduct threat assessments, planning, and surveys  The future security of the ED depends more heavily on threat assessments and violence prevention planning.  The Joint Commission (TJC) and other regulatory agencies require at least annual assessments with carefully documented findings and recommendations.  A multidisciplinary team of security, clinical, and management team members must be included as part of this process.  The future of healthcare security integrates every discipline within the healthcare organization into the process.  Threat assessments will include expertise of individuals with proficiency in healthcare security, homeland security, law enforcement, and other valuable areas of security.  Consideration of safety measures, technology, and risk mitigation strategies must be incorporated into these assessment processes.

7. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 6.Collaborate  Collaboration is key to the future of a safer and more secure ED. Strong relationships between security and the clinical team are vital, and interaction highlights innovative opportunities to support patient care in otherwise undiscovered ways.  Jeff Strickler, RN-BC, MA, Associate Vice President, Hillsborough Hospital, North Carolina, explains the future of collaboration: “We need more ‘community’ involvement from hospital police and security similar to the rationale for officers walking a beat. Each clinical area should be assigned a liaison. Officers should round and specifically interact with nurses and physicians. I see no problem with officers interacting with patients and families and not just the [high- risk] cases. I envision an officer coming into a room and saying, ‘just checking on you and making sure that everything is alright. Is there anything that I can do for you?’ That’s the future of healthcare security.”

8. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 7.Deploy technology  Technology is an ongoing metamorphosis. The future of healthcare security relies on technology in new and different ways. In addition to creating a safer environment, technology also serves to support privacy and HIPAA regulations.  They will rely on technology to provide valuable, detailed data and information for incident reporting, remediation, and auditing events for future improvements.  The ACA also drives technology integration. The ACA requires healthcare facilities to deploy integrated security technology that contributes to quality of care and patient satisfaction by supporting an increased flow of patients through the healthcare system.

9. Eight Future Healthcare Security Strategies 8.Manage metrics and data  As hospitals are tasked with controlling costs, cutting budgets, and improving patient care, healthcare security has a heightened awareness of demonstrating their value as well. It’s not enough to deliver outstanding security—you must be able to demonstrate and document what you do, how much you do, and why you do it.  Service levels, efficiency, and effectiveness will be measured by data to demonstrate the value of de-escalation, RAD, Basic Life Support, nonviolent crisis intervention, and other training to the ED clinical staff. The benefit of security delivering this type of training versus outsourcing it provides tremendous benefits to the hospital. Quantify the costs and benefits.  Response times, number of patrols, thefts, assaults by type, security violations remediated, number of violent events managed, number of security escorts, potential weapons confiscated, and many other metrics can be used to demonstrate value.

10. Looking Ahead…..  Security professionals who accept the accountability and responsibility to protect the lives of others in this volatile environment are to be highly respected and esteemed.  I still remember the days of sitting in front of that black and white television set as I watched Superman and The Lone Ranger swoop in to save the day.  I recall the vivid memories of desiring to be a part of something special—and being able to make a difference in the world by protecting others. I am honored to be among the brave men and women who deliver outstanding security and safety for the sick, weak, and vulnerable.