2.54 High Risk Patients
What is the definition of a “High Risk Patient”? There are 2.
Patients who pose a risk to the safety of themselves, other patients, visitors or staff.
Any patient who has been physically abused or in cases where there is a reasonable suspicion of such abuse.
What should Security Personnel do when unattended or wild animals are sighted inside hospital buildings?
1. Notify Emergency Communications. 2. escort or remove any patient/family from the room or area where the animal is present. 3. If possible, attempt containment by closing doors.
What are “Private Patients”?
Those patients who are not listed in the hospital directory during their hospitalization.
What is the definition of a “violent crime”?
A violent crime can be defined as any incident (such as assault, sexual abuse/assault, attempted murder, rape or other violent act) which could place the victim or others in danger from the perpetrator of the event.
The potential for violence and/or threats in the workplace can come from what type of relationships?
a. Domestic Partners b. Employee vs. Employee c. Immediate Family and other Relatives d. Animal Activist Protest Groups e. Criminal Activity (to include assaultive behavior of patients)
Upon admission, or notification of admission, of a patient deemed as “high risk”, Security Personnel will first do what?
Make the patient a No Information Patient.
Who will Emergency Communications contact in the event of a wild or unattended animal?
1. Animal Control 2. Facility Services (Engineering) 3. Risk Management Investigator 4. Environmental Health & Safety.
Security personnel will contact who to assist with providing information concerning patients flagged as “Private Patient”?
Nursing Supervisor.
Upon notification by the Emergency Department (or other unit) of a Victim of Violent Crime, Security Personnel will consult with who to assess available information and determine the level of security needed to protect the patient, visitors, and staff from the perpetrator of the crime?
The Charge Nurse.
Who will conduct the initial assessment of the situation?
The Supervisor or Senior Officer.
Based upon risk, the Patient Safety Plan may include, but is not limited to what?
An inventory of the patient’s belongings to ensure proper documentation of valuables, etc. 2. Additional security patrols for the department/floor. 3. Assignment of a “sitter”. 4. Posting Security Personnel at the nurses’ station of the floor. 5. Posting Security Personnel at the patient’s door.
Note: Utilization of Security personnel should be considered primarily to address identified external threats or when other available staffing is nonexistent.
Facility Services will respond with nets and protective gear to contain or remove the animal and hold for who?
The Animal Control
What happens when a patient repeatedly fails to maintain the integrity of Private Patient status (openly provides location and/or password)?
Removal of the status may be considered.
Who will Security personnel notify of all information obtained concerning the patient and criminal event?
The Security Supervisor.
In what ways is Security notified of potential violence and/or threats in the workplace?
a. Notification to Security of an existing 50(b) order. b. Request for advice related to potential violence. c. Management/supervisory/HR personnel provide notification. d. Involved parties/victims elect to report concerning behavior (stalking, harassing telephone calls, emails, or threats.
Additional actions in a pediatric Patient Safety Plan may include what actions?
a. Visitation restrictions. b. Movement of the child to a room with a direct view from the nurses’ station. c. Removal of parent/guardian or other visitors from the room.
True or False? If the animal is a bat; trained personnel will respond to assist with the containment of the bat. The responding person will not remain with the bat until the Animal Control removes it.
False.
True or False? Private Patient status initiated at staff requests (including behavioral health patients) will not be removed at the request of patients.
True.
Should a patient desire to permit visitation of an assailant, Security personnel will consult with who to address what?
The patient care team to address potential security concerns.
What form is used to report and document violence and/or threats in the workplace?
Domestic or Workplace Violence/Threat Assessment Form.
Risk can be established on what basis?
Knowledge of the patient’s prior behavior, Admission from a psychiatric unit/agency for a specific diagnosis related to unsafe behavior, Behavior exhibited while a patient.
In addition to removing the bat out of the building and/or area, Animal Control will remove the bat involved in an exposure, for what other reason?
Testing.
Personnel will notify what department to flag the encounter as “Private”?
Admissions.
True or False? In cases of domestic abuse, the patient will determine when, if at all, a law enforcement agency is to be notified.
True.
The completed assessment should be entered into what system?
ECOMM.