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We had the opportunity to ask the love
ly Lisa Pryse, President-Elect, IAHSS and President of ODS Healthcare and Chief of Company Police, a few questions prior to her presentation at the 5th annual Hospital & Healthcare Security & Safety Conference.
What are the main factors that should be taken into account when designing an effective and efficient hospital security program?
Recommendations made when designing an effective and efficient hospital security program should be reasonable, appropriate for the immediate and surrounding environment, cost effective, logical and justifiable. Consideration should be given to national and community standards of care which can impact foreseeability.
In your opinion, what are the most common reasons that contribute to the failure of a security program?
It is difficult to pinpoint the most common reasons which contribute to the failure of a security program. However, failure to regularly assess and identify system security vulnerabilities, develop recommendations and implement appropriate actions definitely contribute to failure of a program.
“Violence no longer stops outside the doors to the hospital!” is the title of your workshop at the conference. Can you elaborate on this please?
For many years, a hospital was considered a place where enemies ceased to exist. Theoretically, all persons who entered the doors of a hospital “entered in peace,” found sanctuary and were given the care required. As society has evolved and changed, so have the illnesses and behaviors which present at our hospitals. Clinical and criminal aggression find their ways into our hospitals on a daily basis. We must be prepared to respond accordingly in order to maintain a safe environment which is necessary to care for all persons who have a need for medical and/or psychiatric care. Recognition, training and proper staff response is necessary.
Finally, what do you hope the attendees will take away from your presentation at the 5th annual Hospital & Healthcare Security & Safety Conference?
I would hope that the attendees are able to take away “lessons learned” from incidents shared as well as interact and contribute some of their own lessons. It is my aim to share information and “best practices” which can be used for c-suite presentations as well as staff training.