Focus: Security

Keeping patients and staff safe without armed security

Scientific American opinion piece recommends eliminating armed police, guards in emergency rooms


There is  good evidence to suggest that guns shouldn’t float around the emergency room, according to an opinion piece on the Scientific American website. 

Data show that increasing the carriage of weapons doesn’t correlate with a decrease in hospital violence. In fact, 23 percent of emergency department shootings involve someone attempting to take a weapon from a security officer.

Still, hospitals continue to arm their guards. A 2014 survey reported that security officers carry handguns in 52 percent of hospital institutions, while 47 percent use Tasers. 

That’s almost four times estimates found in similar studies from 2011—just three years before. This presence of armed police—who rarely receive training to work in medical settings or instruction on de-escalation tactics—changes the tenor of conflict in the emergency room, the article said.

Read the article.



July 17, 2020


Topic Area: Security


Recent Posts

Respecting EVS Workers: 19 Minutes Is Not Enough

The infection control problem is time, and it's up to facility managers, EVS directors and infection preventionists to address the problem.


Where are the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hotspots in Healthcare?

First-year findings from Boston Medical Center show medical waste generates a disproportionate amount of healthcare emissions.


Caravel Autism Health Opens Clinic in Lake Zurich, Illinois

The clinic features colorful, sensory-friendly spaces where children work one-on-one with therapists.


The Future of Healthcare Facility Construction Projects

Brian Cowperthwaite highlights the invisible work that impacts everyone who walks through a healthcare facility.


Ground Broken on Jupiter Medical Center's Second Hospital

The 53,000-square-foot hospital will include 29 inpatient beds, four operating rooms, 24-hour emergency services, a diagnostic laboratory and imaging services.


 
 


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.