Infant abduction puts spotlight on maternity ward security

Hospitals nationwide have upped security measures in their nurseries in recent years


A spotlight is on security in Montana maternity wards after a woman who tested positive for methamphetamine fled an Anaconda hospital with her newborn just hours later, according to an article on The Montana Standard website. 

Hospitals nationwide have upped security measures in their nurseries in recent years to prevent infant abductions, according to the FBI.

But it’s unclear how the woman skirted security at the Community Hospital of Anaconda to abduct the newborn.

In Butte, St. James Healthcare increased security in its birthing area about five years ago. In the past, anyone could walk up to the nursery window to look at the newborns. Today, a locked door leads into the birthing area and nursery, and only nurses have authority to allow people to enter, the article said.

No one leaves the ward without passing a nurses’ station staffed around the clock and the four video cameras that monitor hallways and doors, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Read the article.

 

 



June 26, 2014


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Disinfectant Contact Time: The Case for Biofilm Disruption

Contact time, while essential for compliance, does not reliably predict microbial reduction on actual healthcare surfaces.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027.


Mon General Succumbs to Phishing Cyberattack

Its investigation ultimately determined that an unauthorized party gained access to certain Mon General email mailboxes on May 6, 2026.


The HVAC Dilemma: To Repair or Replace?

Healthcare facilities that keep repairing and optimizing aging systems past their useful life spend money on a problem they cannot solve without capital investment.


Department of Veterans Affairs Signs Lease for Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Kentucky

Construction and facility preparation are expected to be completed by the winter of 2027, and the first patient should be seen by spring 2028.


 
 


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.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.