Hospital security: "a current look".

The results of a hospital security survey using a random sampling of hospital organizations in the AHA Membership Directory. The survey covered staffing, security attire and equipment, training, use of physical security, and bicycle patrols. No serious security staffing cutbacks have taken place in the past two years, according to survey respondents.

Effectively changing the management methodology for tornado evacuation procedures.

This article discusses how action research was used to identify, diagnose, and involve focus group members in resolving problems associated with the safe evacuation of patients and employees during imminent tornado weather. Collaboration and joint action planning among group members, says the author, resulted in new evacuation procedures that increased dependable communications among staff, ensured the continuation of good patient care, and assured the expedient and safe evacuation of patients and employees.

Encouraging growth and change by establishing trusting relationships between managers and employees.

The author discusses how trust between managers and employees must be established if managers expect employees to be committed to the organization. Trust is essential before changes can be implemented and growth can occur.

Security as a management service.

Noting that hospital security must be viewed as an element of management that supports professional patient care, the author presents a comprehensive overview of the various healthcare security functions from a service-oriented, management perspective.

The future of healthcare security management.

To survive in today's economic climate, security directors must also be good business managers. In this article, the author offers suggestions for achieving this goal.

Hospital security: is the patient at risk?

This article focuses on the safety and security of the hospital patient, especially the role of the caregiver, as an important element in today's hospital environment. The author believes that not only the nursing unit but the entire hospital employee staff must be utilized to provide a reasonably safe and secure environment for not only the patient, but the staff and visitors as well.