These are only a few of the hardworking members of PPMC’s interdisciplinary safety task force.
For nearly a year, PPMC’s interdisciplinary security task force has been working hard to ensure every patient, visitor, and staff member feels safe and comfortable at Presby from the moment they arrive on campus. By working through complex questions and challenging scenarios, analyzing responses to the Culture of Safety Survey, and learning from the experiences of frontline staff at PPMC and at other hospitals, the task force has been able to put plans into action that create a safer, but still welcoming hospital environment.
“I’m very impressed by the work the security task force and its subcommittees are doing. It’s clear that they take their roles very seriously and have worked hard to research their specific issues — their presentations had footnotes!” said Bob Russell, MS, associate executive director for Operations. “A broad cross-section of departments is represented in the task force, and they have identified a number of recommendations, many of which PPMC leaders have already implemented or are working on.”
While the task force is still identifying opportunities for improvement and continues to develop new initiatives, here are some of the areas in which they’ve already created change:
Screening Visitors
To maintain a safe campus during late-night hours, the Cupp and Powelton entrances now have enhanced oversight between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. All visitors are screened with a security wand prior to entering any unit, and patient floors will also be notified for prior authorization before visitors can be sent up from the lobby. Any guests visiting a patient under police guard will be screened at the time of their visit. Stay tuned for additional details about photo ID visitor badges and new metal detection equipment. These preventative measures ensure that the campus remains safe and secure while patients spend time with their loved ones.
Growing the Team
Every member of PPMC’s security team plays a vital role in making the patient experience the best it can be by ensuring patients and their families can access care safely, while also providing staff with the support they need to do their jobs. A new daytime security officer monitors areas around Myrin Circle and the parking garage to ensure outdoor safety, maintain an efficient traffic flow, provide directions, and manage deliveries. There are plans to continue increasing security staffing to improve their response time and widen campus coverage.
Staying Prepared
PPMC recognizes that verbal and physical abuse are risks in the health care industry, but aggressive and violent behavior should never be considered “just part of the job.” The security team and taskforce have taken steps to reduce these risks and maintain a calm and safe environment. Signs have been posted to educate visitors about the serious consequences of violence directed toward staff, and the security team is offering refresher training and brochures to help employees to identify and deescalate abuse or violence. Lockdown technology — already in place in the PAC and on Cupp 4 East and South — will also be installed this summer on all of Cupp’s remaining floors.