Published Jan 8, 2018
28 members have participated
Grlnxtdr88
2 Posts
What kind of security you have in your ER?
Do you feel safe with patients? (Psych/ETOH/Overdose)
Do you feel safe with their families?
Is the ambulance bay secure?
Do you feel vulnerable on the off shifts?
Is administration responsive to your concerns?
PeakRN
547 Posts
Full time security as well as PD officers who are assigned to our hospital
Sure, safer than walking downtown anyway...
Yes
Not any more than day shifts
guest8888
33 Posts
Full time security in my hospital as well, I think all er's have this
PiperLambie, MSN, APRN
38 Posts
We have a full-time police officer at the intake desk, and armed facility security are always immediately available to the ED.
Safety is what it is. We all have those aggressive patients, but it's all about keeping yourself physically safe until they can be subdued if that is needed. I work every day at honing my spider sense in this regard.
The families usually are not a problem- again the PD or security are available to take on the more aggressive issues that may arise.
The entry at the ambulance bay is keypad secured to entry, and there aren't really issues with interlopers entering through the EMS doors.
I work days so it is often dark when I arrive and dark when I leave, just like night shift. That said, I always scan the area as I am walking toward my vehicle, particularly if there has been a difficult patient/family. Armed security is also available to escort any employee to their car at any time if there is a concern.
Management takes everything employees report seriously, and our department nurse practice council does a great job of addressing the unit-wide issues at meetings. No deaf ears from the folks in the offices.
TigraRN
64 Posts
We get some very violent and verbally abusive patients, when we call security, sometimes I feel like the security needs to be kept safe. Also, whenever there is a violent person in ER, the security does not interfere eagerly, but that is my humble opinion. I do appreciate their escort to the car when needed late at night.
Boxer_Courage
-24/7 hospital based security officers that can't do much of anything, Thursday-Sunday the sheriff department has an officer here.
-yes. most psych patients are at least somewhat reasonable if you approach them the right way. ETOH/overdose can be different, but then you've got keep in mind, they're under the influence. Some of them actually seem kinda nice when see them not on something. If they're violent enough, it's a job for security and law enforcement. I'm not there to be an enforcer.
-yes. I rarely have any issues with family.
-No
-Depends on the level of administration. Unit management, yes. Though, there are higher levels of administration that I don't think really care.
Gary Mendoza
84 Posts
No, not all. I'm a travel ER nurse and many ER's don't have anything. When the crap hits the fan we just deal with it ourselves.
Guest219794
2,453 Posts
What kind of security you have in your ER? 24/7 in a dedicated psych ward. 24/7 with a fast response in medical. Mostly good at de-escalating, and most will get between a nurse and a fist.Do you feel safe with patients? (Psych/ETOH/Overdose) YesDo you feel safe with their families? YesIs the ambulance bay secure? NoDo you feel vulnerable on the off shifts? I don't know what an off shift is, but I probably don't feel vulnerable on one.Is administration responsive to your concerns? Generally speaking, no. They barely respond to their own concerns, let alone mine.
Do you feel safe with patients? (Psych/ETOH/Overdose) Yes
Do you feel safe with their families? Yes
Is the ambulance bay secure? No
Do you feel vulnerable on the off shifts? I don't know what an off shift is, but I probably don't feel vulnerable on one.
Is administration responsive to your concerns? Generally speaking, no. They barely respond to their own concerns, let alone mine.
Don't know if my perspective as a fit, 180 lb guy effects this. I deal with psych pts, drug addicts, drinkers, etc.. fairly frequently, but am good at de-escalating, and generally know when security is needed.
hermionedanger
6 Posts
I know the person who created this poll is probably long gone, but the choices for answers are really not mutually exclusive. You can have security available AND not feel quite safe AND feel that PG is more important than safety. Weird, kind of passive-aggressive phrasing for the choices.