Security anyone?

[TaraER-RN]

I was just wondering what security is like at everyone else's hospitals? AT ours...they can't do anything but sit there and watch the patient. If its a 5150 the patient can be walking out the door, and security will just point and say "there goes your patient", or even one time we had security watching a 5150 and the patient was managing to strangle himself with his calllight!!! A nurse found him in time. If we have to restrain someone they can't do anything! Oh, but they can walk us to our cars at night if we need it...heck I could beat somone up easier then they could!!! They's probably run for their life! :chair:

I was just wondering if this seems to be a standard everywhere? Whats the point?

[TaraER-RN]

Well our security are educated that they may not touch a patient. JCAHO did just finish our survey....and yes 5150's are the 72 hour hold where a policeman, doctor or psychiatrist deems the patient to be a harm to self, a harm to others or gravely disabled (meaning can't take care of themselves)...we will get them in the ER till they are medically clear and then we ship them out to a psych facility....and let me tell you there must be a hole in the fence on a psych facility lately because we have been getting soooo many psych people! It also amazes who they will hire for our security, all of them are little people who couldn't harm a fly...they just wear the uniform...I think the patients even know they are no threat!

[KaraLea, LVN]

Our security guards can work a "take down" just like us nurses. They have the same class that we do on "prevention and management of agressive behavior" These guys are a great help. Sometimes it just takes the sight of these big guys in uniform come running to calm the patients down REAL QUICK.

[whipping girl in 07, RN]

I just took the NVCI class at my hospital this week, taught by our director of security. I really got a lot out of it. Our security officers are really helpful and are there quickly when you call them. They are taught not to touch anyone unless they have to and learn in which situations they are to go from verbal to physical intervention. They are a big help when we have to call them. Sorry to hear that yours aren't that great.

[911fltrn]

Havent been there but have had other er nurses tell me that at one hospital in Las vegas. If they push panic button armed hospital security comes like swat team and clears the E.R. :-)

One er i used to work in on weekends would have 7-8 of the R.Ns out of 10 were men. Add 2 huge security gaurds and you better mind your manners. :-)

[Rustyhammer]

Once Security brought me a couple of soft tacos and an bean burrito from taco bell.

-Russell

[hapeewendy]

security round these parts consist of a few cute boys trying to play good cop/bad cop and the remaining are genuinely nice people who oddly enough for security guards really avoid all things security related........

the few times we have called them STAT for violent pts or violent family members they have come to the floor, probably five minutes or so after the RN has calmed the situation down themselves, but still it warms my heart to see that they show up .... really it does..... as a wise woman (my mother) once said "its like watching a herd of turtles" yes mom it is something like that innit?

they are really good at big bad badge patrol though

going thru the units at ungodly hours to carefully inspect everyone horrific ID badges to make sure we really do belong here and dont have a fetish for hanging out with sick people at 3am......

there are a few who are EXCELLENT at conflict resolution , its just a shame that they arent always around when said conflict arises

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Our security guys rock!

They are great for a takedown if it comes to that, but their best role is standing there looking vaguely but non-specifically intimidating so no one gets any funny ideas. I must say that our head of security, Don, is fantastic.

[TaraER-RN]

I'm glad to hear that security can particpate in takedowns other places...but they can't in my facility, all they can do is watch!

[l.rae]

Occaisionally one of us will accidently hit the panic button in the ER.....Then, security officer calls to see if the alarm is for real before they come!!!!! They have done this on more than one occaision. A couple of them are great...the rest are Barny Fifes.......LR

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

The maintenance staff = security at our hospital, although I could beat up our night guy myself. There is no maintenance on duty on the weekends, or housekeeping, or pharmacy, or supplies, or anybody but nurses.

Let me introduce our entire security staff...ME!!

Although me and my canoe paddle can be pretty intimidating if you meet us in a deserted hallway. The EMS guys are also always willing to show a little muscle but in the middle of the night they need a crowbar to get out of bed for anything but the 911 pager.

[Figaro's Mom]

Originally posted by Rustyhammer

Once Security brought me a couple of soft tacos and a bean burrito from taco bell.

-Russell

Omigosh :chuckle

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

To the poster about the JCAHCO comment - yep - just did a full inspection in March!! I worked in Las Vagas in the early 90's at a for-profit hospital and we had police sub-station in ER!!! Our security are pretty useless - and it seems like I work where the majority the work!!