By Ken Bukowski/ Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

The holidays can be a hectic time for all individuals, especially at healthcare facilities. Unfortunately, hospitals see an increase in cases of attempted suicide, committal patients, and accidents and injuries related to the holidays. Security teams need to be extra vigilant during the holiday season as there will likely be an increase in patients entering the facility.

Studies in Europe have shown attempted suicides may actually increase shortly after some winter holidays possibly because of depression. The study has not been replicated in the United States, but hospital staff and security should work together to prevent an incident from happening. Suicidal patients should be treated initially in a secure, safe, and highly supervised care area where security officers and hospital staff are specifically trained to handle this type of situation. 

Committal patients, non-voluntary psychiatric patients due to illness or drug use, also need to have special security and safety as they are typically not allowed to leave the hospital. Security is usually called on to watch individuals and make sure they don’t leave the area. It is important that security officers are trained in conjunction with hospital staff.

Identification and medication theft can also increase during the holidays. It is important that security is aware, and on the lookout for these situations. Security teams need to be conscious of who is entering pharmaceutical areas, checking identification badges at all times and closely monitoring restricted access areas. Hospital staff also need to observant and report suspicious activity.

Lastly, the emergency department can be a not-so-jolly area around the holidays. Many individuals wait until the last minute to make a visit to the ED due to traveling or family gatherings. Heart-related deaths increase by five percent during the holiday season and fatal heart attacks peak on Christmas, the day after Christmas, and New Year’s Day, according to a national Circulation study published in 2004. Security teams should be at the ready to manage crowds and anticipate stressful situations.

Bukowski is the vice president of healthcare, AlliedBarton Security Services.