The security staff at Washington Hospital in Washington, Pa., are being trained to become certified police officers, according to an article on the Observer-Reporter website.
They will have arrest powers and work just on hospital property. Training includes qualifying with firearms, criminal and constitution law, and testifying in court.
“This is a trend … at other hospitals,” Gary B. Weinstein, Washington Hospital's president and chief executive officer, said in the article. "When people are in the emergency room of a hospital, they are often in crisis and may not act the way they may normally.”
The doors to the hospital, with the exception of the emergency room, are locked each night at 9.
Avoiding Mistakes in Healthcare Site Selection
Can Rural Hospitals Be Saved?
Ascension Saint Thomas Breaks Ground on Hospital and Health Campus in Tennessee
The Hidden Risks of QAC Disinfectants in Healthcare Facilities
Sprinkler Compliance: Navigating Code Mandates, Renovation Triggers and Patient Safety