"Everything always happens for the best: if you view it that way".

A candid and detailed description of the author's heart attack and its aftermath with advice to his colleagues on how to become more proactive in identifying and dealing with the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.

Safekeeping: some real-world advice on conducting a security assessment.

An objective, outside review of an institution's security program should be reasonable, appropriate and cost-effective. This article identifies the methods and ingredients of such a review.

Zero based programming: a viable security budgeting approach.

To get additional dollars or avoid budget cuts or personnel reductions, healthcare security directors should consider a budget approach that best justifies the needs of the department or organization.

Safeguarding the system. Devising a security plan for a health care network.

Health care systems have continued to evolve over the past several years. Some have been successful, some have reverted back to stand-alone or affiliated hospitals, and others continue to struggle with the system concept. Security departments must identify their new roles as this evolution plays out.

Under surveillance: is it time to reexamine your facility's security model.

The many different security models in place in health facilities across the country--including 'campus police,' off-duty officers, proprietary programs, contract security, and combined proprietary and contract security--will come under increased scrutiny by JCAHO in the event of an internal or external disaster situation. In this article, the author addresses the need for reevaluating current security models so that they can be defended as reasonable and appropriate should a future incident or litigation call them into question.

Is healthcare security prepared for terrorism?

Programs for dealing with terrorism prior to the events of September 11, 2001 are inadequate for the new terrorist threat that may severely hamper a hospital's ability to render services. The article outlines areas of concern that must be addressed if hospitals are to fulfill their roles as major community resources in case of a terrorist event.