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Canton-Potsdam Hospital improving security measures in light of shooting suicide at Massena Memorial

Posted 12/22/11

POTSDAM -- A recent shooting suicide at Massena Memorial Hospital has prompted Canton-Potsdam Hospital to implement improved security measures in the emergency room. The hospital has informed its …

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Canton-Potsdam Hospital improving security measures in light of shooting suicide at Massena Memorial

Posted

POTSDAM -- A recent shooting suicide at Massena Memorial Hospital has prompted Canton-Potsdam Hospital to implement improved security measures in the emergency room.

The hospital has informed its staff of steps to enhance security, which include suggestions from employees in affected areas and guidance from a security consultant who assisted in identifying and prioritizing security improvements.

The initial focus is on the emergency department and patient registration areas. Additional measures will address remaining on- and off-campus locations.

Emergency department patients are now limited to one visitor at a time, with the exception of both parents being allowed to be with minors. The emergency department physician in concert with the charge nurse may make exceptions in cases of end-of life issues and other extraordinary circumstances.

“Some new security actions were taken by the hospital last year when an RN in the emergency department suffered a broken arm when caring for an intoxicated and combative patient” said the hospital’s Chief of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Jason Lorenc. “We are very fortunate in our small, safe and friendly community not to have had an incident with more serious injury or loss of life and we’ve become too liberal in our visitation practices. Striking a balance was a challenge, but I think we achieved that,” Lorenc said.

“Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s emergency department expects to see more than 25,000 patients next year,” he said.

“We know that it is calming and beneficial for patients to be accompanied by a loved one in a frightening situation, but allowing too many visitors can interfere with the smooth operation of the service and compromise patient privacy. Our primary goal is to provide every patient with a safe environment where we can evaluate and treat emergent conditions. All other considerations have to be secondary. The emergency department can go from very quiet to extremely busy in an instant. We need to reduce unnecessary traffic, focus our attention on patient needs, and protect patient privacy at the same time.”

Emergency department and patient registration staff have received training on how to communicate the new policy to patients and visitors. Assistant Director for Patient Access Jacqueline Beach said, “Everyone has been pretty cooperative. Once we provide an explanation, they usually understand that we can provide the best care, security, and privacy for their loved one and our other patients in an environment with fewer distractions and limited access to those whose presence is not required to care for the patient.”

Other immediate changes include the 6:30 p.m. locking of all doors except those used for access to the emergency department, and the presence of a security specialist in the emergency and patient registration areas during evening weekend hours. The ambulance door, emergency department doors, and main entrance will remain open until 8:30 p.m., after which the only way to gain entry to the hospital will be through the emergency department doors.

As soon as ordered equipment has arrived, installation will begin on door replacements, badge access for doors to the emergency room, visual monitoring equipment, remote lock-down mechanisms, and revised visitation policies for other patient units.

A statement from the hospital says the measures are “for the safety and privacy of patients, visitors, and staff. By explaining the reasons for the changes, the hospital hopes to gain community understanding and support.”