By Healthcare Facilities Today

When a victim of domestic violence visits a healthcare facility the chances of receiving care, assistance and protection increases if the warning signs are clear, according to a blog on the Health News Digest website. 

Hospital staff needs to be aware of the signs of domestic violence and take proper security precautions when needed if the suspected abuser is present, the blog said. 

"Security teams play an important role when working alongside hospital staff in a domestic violence situation. Officers should be trained to notice particular physical clues when an individual enters a facility. They may also be the first point of reference for a victim when entering a facility so there should be specific orders in place as to how security should assist the individual," wrote blogger Ken Bukowski, AlliedBarton Security Services.

If a perceived victim enters the facility with another individual who may be the abuser, security should take extra precautions in monitoring the situation, the article said. Security officers should be trained to handle domestic violence occurrences and de-escalate the situation should an issue arise. 

According to the article, the Joint Commission also recommends that medical staff and security work together to evaluate the facility and determine a domestic violence plan. The domestic violence plan should be a part of the overall violence prevention and security management programs. The plan should be evaluated and drills should be conducted at least annually to ensure that procedures, protocols and contacts are current and training is occurring on an ongoing basis.

Read the article.