Penn State Health standardizes tools, training for security officers
Penn State Health has standardized the tools and training it provides to its security officers across the health system, effective Monday, May 1. Implementing consistent processes, equipment and training programs for security personnel will help enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of workplace violence for staff at all five hospitals.
According to the American Hospital Association, health care workers suffer more workplace injuries due to violence than any other profession. The association also reports that 44% of nurses say incidents of violence have increased since the pandemic.
“Our leaders are always looking at how we can better support patient and staff safety,” said Christopher Neidert, Penn State Health’s corporate director of security. “We’re constantly evaluating security threats to see what additional tools, technologies or training is available to strengthen our efforts.”
Security officers at Hampden, Holy Spirit and Lancaster medical centers who have been in their role for at least six months, attained a satisfactory job performance and completed de-escalation and use-of-force training will be permitted to carry pepper gel, a taser and handcuffs. Security teams at Hershey and St. Joseph medical centers already participate in the training and have access to those tools.
In addition to de-escalation and use-of-force training and new defensive tools, the health system’s hospitals have other measures in place to help reduce the risk of violence to staff, patients and visitors:
- Monitored surveillance cameras
- Access control
- Duress buttons
- Security patrols
- De-escalation training for staff
Penn State Health Security also provides in-person active shooter training for staff at all inpatient and outpatient locations in formats most appropriate to each unique setting. More than 800 outpatient providers and staff have been trained since December 2022.
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