health care security: strategies to minimize the loss of life and maximize security in times of...

Health Care Security: Strategies to Minimize the Loss of Life and

Maximize Security in Times of Crisis

Presentation Roadmap

IntroductionA Personal AccountPre-Disaster Planning The “Main Event”, what you will needPost-Event ConsiderationQ&A

Presenters

Isaac E. Luten IV, JD,CPP Principal Consultant, HSS

George Patterson Director of Security, HSS- LA, MS

Dean Sobcoviak, CPP, CHPA, RHSO Vice President - Healthcare Security, HSS

A Personal Account

George Patterson

Director of Security

HSS - LA, MS

Citizens flee city, while thousands flee to the superdome and convention center

Levees break, city begins to flood

Methodist Hospital - Roof top

Methodist Hospital - under front canopy

Methodist Hospital - front canopy

Methodist Hospital - inside lobby

Methodist Hospital - outside MOB parking lot

Methodist Hospital - parking lot

Methodist Hospital - Security vehicle

Methodist Hospital - employees waiting for rescue on roof top

Methodist Hospital - helicopter rescue

Methodist Hospital - employees cooling off on roof top

Drowned city - Day after Katrina

People attempt to flee flooded areas

Flooding around the city

The rescues begins

Evacuees rescued from flood waters taken to staging areas for departures to

places unknown

Marshall law is declared - troops patrolling streets

Pre-Disaster Planning

Your Security Department must have a Pre-Disaster Security plan that supports

your Facilities Disaster Preparedness Plan.


Conduct a series of meetings that are inclusive of all departments in the hospital, discussing the who, what, when, where and how the organization is going to respond from a security perspective PRIOR to the event.


Create a list of all essential personnel for each Department that are required to be on site.

Clearly state in writing the repercussions of not reporting for the event such as policy regarding termination/disciplinary consequences for not reporting to duty.


Develop job action plans, defining specifically what duties are to be performed by whom and when. This will be vital for HR/pay/insurance purposes.

Have written agreements as it relates to pay during such events for employees, i.e. how much will security be paid, time and a half, OT, paid 24 hrs, etc.


In planning meetings, spend a considerable amount of time developing alternative ways to communicate during a disaster.

Assume that in the best case scenario, your top 2 preferred methods of communication within and outside of your facility will not work.

Develop a help/information line (toll-free line and web page) to keep information flowing to all employees expected to respond to the event.


Maintain an accurate listing of all hospital personnel on site. (Pre-event, during the event and post event)

Have forwarding address for communication/payroll for all employees including phone numbers.


Have a written policy defining when to evacuate, discussing the transport of patients.

Have possible evacuation sites planned, including housing, transportation and physiological support planned for entire staff after the event/contact family information.

Conduct drills simulating evacuating patients


Arrange to have badges created to clearly identify employees, family members & patients.


Secure all vehicles and other mission critical tools and resources onto the highest ground possible.

Anticipate your threats and vulnerabilities and protect the tools you will need to secure your patients, staff and their families.


Have a contractual agreement with an outside security provider to provide supplemental security staff to assist your facility with access control and other security needs in the event of civil unrest or to assist in securing the facility the instance you must evacuate.


Keep in mind when selecting supplemental security support that many if not all local resources will be faced with the same challenges your facility has an may be unable to provide you the support you contracted for.

Consider identifying resources outside of your own geographic region who may be in much better position to respond to your needs.

Checklist of Items Needed for the Event

Food- at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food. A variety if possible.

Water- at least a weeks supply of bottled water. 7-10 gallons per person

Sanitary Wipes, liquid soap, toilet tissue, large supply of heavy duty trash in the event there is bags that could double as portable toilets in the event plumbing ceases to exist.

Medicine- bandages, ointments, aspirin, Tylenol, penicillin if possible.


Secure the pharmacy with extra 24/7 security with restricted access from staff.

Secure the Emergency Department and other areas considered “Security Sensitive”.


If flooding is an identified threat or vulnerability for you facility, have one or more aluminum flat boats with motor and a supply of fuel that can be accessed.

Tool kits Portable ladders Large supply of heavy duty construction gloves for handling of

sharp debris.


Radios for communication throughout the facility in the instance the phones are inoperable.

Sleeping bags/blanketsLarge supply of hip bootsLarge supply of generator fuel if applicable to your

facility that is kept in a dry/safe place for easy retrieval.

Insect Repellent


Digital Cameras with extra battery supply Video Camera with extra battery supply Flares to signal helicopter/spot lights Mega-phones for communication purposes Battery powered flashlights Portable TV’s, radios and scanners (emergency/weather band)


Large supply of batteries to fit all emergency devicesCellular phones/Blackberries with long lasting

batteries that have text messaging capabilities- (Proved very beneficial during Hurricane Katrina)

One or more satellite phones with extended life batteries.

Post Event Considerations

Prior to exiting the event, record an accurate listing of all employees, patients, family members, members of the public, etc.

Insure facilities management or security shut off all water/power to the facility.

Secure entire facility, lock all doors, windows/board up any broken windows.

Post Event Considerations

Arrange for “strike team” to come in.

Communicate through the web site/ 800 line a time line for returning to work, transportation assistance, housing and benefits.

Provide up to date information as to the “state of the city”, include pictures, videos etc.

“Planning is bringing the present into the future so that you can do

something about it now”

-Alan Lakein

Questions????

Contact InformationIsaac E. Luten IV, J.D. CPPPrincipal Consultant, HSS

[email protected]

Dean Sobcoviak, CPP, CHPA, RHSOVice President of Security, HSS

[email protected]

George PattersonDirector of Security, LA, MS

[email protected]

HSS Corporate Office1395 S. Platte River Dr.Denver, CO 80223

HSS Louisiana Office1937 Veterans Blvd. Suite 402Metairie, LA 70005

health care security: strategies to minimize the loss of life and maximize security in times of...

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