Security Management for Healthcare: Proactive Event Prevention and Effective Resolution

The healthcare industry is changing daily. With the advent of the Affordable Care Act and now the changes being made by the current administration, the financial outlook for healthcare is uncertain. Along with natural disasters, new diseases, and ransomware new challenges have developed for the healthcare security professional. One of the top security issues effecting hospitals today is workplace violence. People don't usually act violently out of the blue. There are warning signs that can be missed or don't get reported or, if they are reported, they may not be properly assessed and acted upon. Healthcare facilities need to have policies and procedures that require reporting of threatening or unusual behaviors. Having preventive policies and procedures in place is the first step in mitigating violence and providing a safe and security hospital.

Persons working in the healthcare security field need to have information and tools that will allow them to work effectively within the healthcare climate. This holds true for security as well. Security professionals need to understand their risks and work to effectively mitigate threats. The author describes training techniques that can be accomplished within a limited budget. He explains how to manage staff more efficiently in order to save money and implement strategic plans to help acquire resources within a restricted revenue environment. Processes to manage emergent events, provide risk assessments, evaluate technology and understand information technology. The future of healthcare is uncertain, but proactive prevention and effective resolution provide the resources necessary to meet the challenges of the current and future healthcare security environment.

Ben Scaglione, CPP, CHPA, CHSP has over 30 years of experience in the security field, directing security programs for world class organizations like Bellevue Hospital, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, and Atlantic Health Systems in the New York City area. Ben currently directs security programing for Lowers & Associates, part of the Lowers Risk Group. Prior to that Ben was the Director of Healthcare Security Services for G4S Secure Solutions. He has a Master's Degree from Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice and currently serves as the chairperson for the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Affiliations Council. He is also currently a member of the IAHSS Education Council and the ASIS Healthcare Council. He is past Chairman of the ASIS International Healthcare Council and past President of the New York City Metropolitan Healthcare Safety and Security Directors Association. Ben has served as an adjunct professor at The Pratt Institute, Interboro Institute and John Jay College Peace Officer Academy in New York City, and was an instructor at New Jersey City University where he taught security management programs. He is a contributing author for the Journal of Healthcare Protection Management and is a past contributor to Security Magazine.