Can there be too much hospital security?

Facilities question whether their security plans are enough - or too much


After recent incidents, healthcare facilities are questioning whether their security plans are enough — or too much, according to an article on the Fierce Healthcare website.

A November study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, said that increased violence prevention efforts by hospitals will save lives — and money. And "even if the intervention cost a little more than it saved in dollars and cents to the healthcare system, there would still be a net benefit in terms of the violence it prevented," Jonathan Purtle, Ph.D., one of the study authors, said.

Some feel that adding extra security measures such as metal detectors or even a hospital-specific police force would send the wrong message to patients.

Despite a recent violent incident, the Exodus Mental Health Urgent Care Center in California does not provide its guards with weapons and doesn't plan to, according to the L.A. Daily News. It also doesn't use metal detectors because the agency wants the facility to feel "warm and homelike." 

Read the article.

 

 



February 2, 2015


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

How Designers Create Welcoming Senior Care Communities

Risk assessments and cost analysis play a role in creating thriving communities.


Data-Driven Decisions: How Analytics Are Shaping Healthcare Facility Planning

Hospitals can use data to prioritize upgrades, extend building lifespans and maximize the impact of limited capital budgets.


UC Health Opens Expanded Freeman Center for Developmental Disabilities

Every detail of the new Freeman Center was informed by input from patients, caregivers, self-advocates and community partners.


Upward Mobility: Market Forces Drive Hospitals Higher

Healthcare facilities nationwide are navigating challenges and opportunities presented by expanding their reach into the sky.


Georgia Hospital Bomb Hoaxes Highlight Need for Healthcare–Police Partnerships

Proactive planning and close collaboration with law enforcement help healthcare facilities maintain safety and continuity during false threats.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.