“Situational Awareness: Your First Line of Defense in Healthcare" — Episode 33
Co-host: Marcus—former healthcare security director
Co-host: Natalie—nurse practitioner and clinical team leader
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Active assailant incidents in healthcare facilities present one of the most extreme challenges for staff, patients, and security professionals. While the primary goal in any such event is always to escape from danger if possible, circumstances may arise where escape is not an option. In these rare but high-risk situations, individuals must rely on a contingency plan that includes barricading,...
Healthcare organizations universally include respect and dignity in their core values. Walk through any hospital lobby, and you'll likely see these words prominently displayed on mission statements and value posters. Yet for many institutions, there remains a significant gap between these aspirational statements and the lived experience of staff and patients.
The challenge isn't in writing...
In healthcare environments, personal protective equipment (PPE) is non-negotiable. No responsible clinician would examine a patient with a highly contagious disease without donning the appropriate gloves, gown, mask, or even powered air-purifying respirators when necessary. These physical barriers protect healthcare workers from biological threats that could cause serious harm.
But what about...
When healthcare organizations assess workplace safety risks, their focus typically lands on patient-to-staff violence, environmental hazards, or procedural errors. Yet one of the most pervasive safety threats often goes unaddressed in traditional safety initiatives: lateral violence—the disrespect, hostility, and aggression that occurs between colleagues.
As we observe National Safety Month this...
Most healthcare organizations have meticulously developed protocols for nearly every physical safety concern. There are specific steps to follow for needle sticks, detailed procedures for patient falls, and precise methods for handling hazardous materials. When it comes to verbal abuse, however, many institutions offer little more than general advice to "stay calm" or "be professional."
As we...
In healthcare environments, unpredictability is often the spark that ignites workplace violence. When patients, families, or even staff don't know what to expect—or when responses to similar situations vary dramatically—tension rises and the potential for conflict increases exponentially.
As we observe National Safety Month this June, it's worth exploring how consistency in communication serves...
In healthcare settings, first impressions aren't just about customer service—they're critical safety moments that set the tone for everything that follows. Those initial 10 seconds of contact between a healthcare provider and a patient or visitor can determine whether an interaction proceeds smoothly or escalates into conflict.
As we observe National Safety Month this June, it's worth examining...
