HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and record review the hospital failed to provide a safe setting for staff, visitors, and patients. Security was not provided between 7 am-3 pm Monday through Friday.

Findings included:

Security Schedule Review
Dated: 01/01/2024.
Monday through Friday security guards were scheduled from 3:00 PM-7:00 AM. Security guards were scheduled Saturday and Sunday for 24 hours each day. No security guards were scheduled 7:00 AM-3:00 PM.

Interviews:
During interviews on 1/08/24 with Personnel #1 she said from 7:00 AM through 3:00 PM the director of facilities (Personnel #2) acted as security along with other "males" in the hospital. All other times are covered by contracted security guards. She confirmed the Emergency Management plan had not been updated since 02/2022. The director of facilities had not received hospital security training from the hospital. She had requested multiple times that the hospital hire off duty police, but the requests were denied.

During an interview on 1/08/24 at 3:24 PM with Personnel #3, Interim ED Director she said sometimes the police were called for security.

During an interview on 1/08/24 at 4:02 PM with Personnel #4, ED Supervisor she said she has never been told to call the director of facilities for security. "As far as I know there's no security during the day." She said she was concerned one day that something could happen with no security available. There have been times when patients have gotten aggressive and there was no security that she was aware of. ED staff had called the police when there were security concerns.

During an interview on 1/08/24 at 4:30 PM with Personnel #6, RN-ED she said she was working on a Sunday and there was a very aggressive patient who was pinning people against the wall. She got punched in the chest. 911 was called and there was no answer for 12 minutes. It took 15 minutes for police to arrive. That patient could have seriously injured staff and/or patients. She did not report the incident. Security was a big concern.

Emergency Management Program/Emergency Operations plan had a revision date of 02/2022.

Workplace Violence Risk Assessment Dated 7/31/23
The assessment determined there was a high degree of risk in reception/interdisciplinary team station/waiting area design, visibility and signage. There was a high degree of risk in treatment rooms. Potential Solutions included implementing regular security patrols and ensure a security presence in high-risk areas. Establish a protocol for requesting security backup as needed.

Violence in the Workplace hospital policy, with approval date of 4/10/23, "Facilities operated by Tenet Entities (each a 'Facility') must be prepared to respond to reports of violence in the workplace by developing and implementing a Workplace Violence prevention program that includes support from appropriate disciplines and functional areas."