Simple assaults against healthcare workers increased from 17.7 incidents per 100 beds to 22 incidents, and 65% of hospitals said it was difficult or very difficult to retain full, qualified security staff, according to the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation's 2023 Healthcare Crime survey.
The survey found the average hospital had 9.5 full-time security employees per 100 beds, a decrease from 10.7 security personnel in the previous year.
"Hospitals are microcosms of the communities they serve, meaning that whatever types of crime or criminal activity are occurring on the streets, they are also likely occurring in and around the healthcare organization," Jeff Hauk, director of public safety and police authority services for Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare, told Campus Safety. "Attractiveness, brand, and customer service are also important parts of the healthcare industry's philosophy, so creating a comprehensive protective process for safely and efficiently identifying individuals entering a facility while not impending upon or delaying medical services or creating poor public perception through an intrusive process is extremely challenging."
Security can also be difficult to retain as it is considered a "cost center" and does not generate revenue for hospitals. Here are five strategies Mr. Hauk suggests for recruiting and retaining security staff:
- Hire an experienced, credentialed security risk management professional.
- Create a sense of loyalty among employees and encourage employee referrals.
- Educate and mentor security staff and provide tuition reimbursement programs to help them obtain professional credentials.
- Evaluate your hiring process and be willing to go past the resume to ask the right questions.
- Ensure all employees know what is expected of them.