Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, Calif., has made a number of changes to help protect employees from what they refer to as an epidemic of violence, according to an article on the California Healthline website.
Scripps has launched a “rapid response” team made up of staff members who try to defuse potentially violent situations.
The hospital also has introduced a behavioral screening tool to help identify patients prone to violence. When patients get flagged, they must wear a green wristband, and a green peace sign is placed on their door.
All Scripps security guards have been armed with stun guns and stab-proof vests for the past year due to what the health system calls an epidemic of violence.
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