security in your workplace

Mama Val, ASN, RN · Oct 13, 2002

Security...none

I sit here alone with 8 patients who are detoxing from drugs and or alcohol. We lock our door from 11pm to 6am, ring the buzzer to get in. If something happens then we are on our own. When I first started to work here I sugested mirrors in the cotridors at least.. took 6 months and we have 1 mirror....whoah progress.

If we need to call the cops then 911 is on speed dial...NOT, have to get an outside line and call and pray they get here in time.

The right person hasn't been hurt or killed yet...

frankie · Oct 13, 2002

ktwlpn - I have never worked in LTC, but I have worked in hospitals. When I worked in the ER, a man came in with a gun one evening shift. The security guards had billi clubs at the time, I remember talking with one of the guards after the incident and asking if the expectation was for him to "block" the bullets with his billi club? Anyway, since I am not real familiar with LTC regs, if you do a little searching, you might find the requirements. Look up licensing of LTC from the state you are in, check medicare regs and medicade regs, check dept of health in your state, and any other org. that regulates the LTC facility. I know JCAHO requires adequate protection for employees in facilities. Good Luckfrankie

labornurse · Oct 13, 2002

We have great security at our hospital. We had an incident which I can't go into here for pt confidentiality reasons, but it ended up with an infant being taken away from his mother. The mother was out of control and had already injured a nurse. Our DON made sure that we had not only hospital security on the unit, but our local police force was also there to protect the nurses and baby. Our DON takes injury to the nurses seriously and always makes sure that we are protected if there is a danger that one of us may be hurt.

shabookitty · Oct 13, 2002

I draw blood at 5:30 a.m. in LTC. In my area security varies. I feel more secure in some than others. In the wee hours it seems the LTC with "buzzer" systems are more strict ...I have gone later in the day when it is busy and folks are coming and going and holding the door open for each other which defeats the buzzer ...so basically anyone can just walk in. Others have codes that you can punch in...usually POSTED on the FRONT door! Go figure? I worry more about the security inside the LTC...some of those folks could just stroll on outta there...I have seen some sneaky navigation with wheel chairs! And some of the folks can just easily operate the buzzer system b/c they watch the janitor hit it! Who knows ya know! I guess the best defense is to stay anxious like myself...always waiting for the worse to happen. :confused:

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2002

When I was in orientation at my current assignment, the speaker told us with pride in her voice, that our security guards are armed. I've since gotten to know a few of them, and they scare me more than the patients/visitors.

The only time that I called for security, it took twenty minutes for them to come. Wow!!!! I feel so protected.

Recently, we had a psychotic, non-English speaking HIV+ patient grab the gun away from security. I will be so glad when this assignment ends.

JailRN · Oct 14, 2002

:rotfl: :rotfl:

O guess that's why I carry handcuffs, and pepper spray, the jailers get batons, but they don't want the nurses to carry them- (ah, heck just give me my gun)

Mama Val, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2002

I am with you JainRN

I also carry a set of cuffs and pepper spray (at both places where I work), our COs are not allowed to carry weapons in the facility and only a few are allowed sidearms outside the fence.

Actually I need to practice my stickfighting technique, Iscrima anybody ??????

semstr · Oct 14, 2002

none at all.

dcc43210 · Oct 14, 2002

Our security guards (hospital) are actually "constables." Real police officers with arrest powers and real guns. There is aways at least two of them in the ER. I pity the fool who attacks one of our ER staff.

Uptoherern, RN · Oct 15, 2002

our security guards make sure that none of the nurses park in the covered Dr. only parking spaces!

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2002

They just brought security inhouse here and it's much better. The head has a police and military background (kinda cute, he says M'am or sir all the time.)

At the otehr place I work, in the "bad" neighborhood, I was asking a guard about no longer having dog guards (I really, really like having dog guards around.) He said that one they're expensive and that teh word got out on the street that the dogs were there and the trouble we had been having decreased dramatically, and has stayed down. I still miss having the dogs around.