NCJ Number
85786
Date Published
1982
Length
516 pages
Annotation
This text outlines a comprehensive security program for decreasing hospitals' vulnerability to crime. It discusses security and safety measures, risk management, program budgeting, employee training methods, and other security functions important to health care administrators.
Abstract
A security program (preventive patrol, access control, incident investigation, internal and external audits, etc.) affects every aspect of hospital organization and should be centralized in a single security department. A risk management (or liability control) program is also a necessary component. Five different staffing systems are examined here: a proprietary (in-house) service force, a contract agency, off-duty law enforcement officers, a proprietary security manager or supervisory staff with contract security officers, and a shared services proprietary security force. Program planning and budgeting are ongoing processes requiring adequate financial resources. Audiovisual equipment is a helpful training tool, and an intern program for security personnel should be investigated. Security operations tend to overlap and depend upon each other for support; specific procedures should be developed for field deployment and patrol and for investigations and undercover operations. Officers can perform management services (receipt of shipments, lost and found, parking control), while providing deterrent patrols and being available for emergencies. The security program must maintain good records and reports (samples are given) and good relations with the community, staff, patients, and police. The text covers psychological deterrents in security programming, security equipment, and architectural design considerations. Planning for emergencies, bomb threats, civil disturbances, and other concerns (especially drug control) is also addressed. An index, photographs, and graphs are included.