After the mass shooting at Chicago-based Mercy Hospital & Medical Center Nov. 19, area hospitals are reviewing safety measures and preparing for a new violence-prevention law, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Here are three things to know:
1. State legislators are supporting a proposed law mandating metal detectors be installed at hospitals. Critics claim this is a "one-size-fits-all approach" that does not address the issue of gun violence. Hospitals already conduct active shooter drills and de-escalation training with security staff.
2. The Illinois Nurses Association helped create separate legislation that was approved earlier this year. The new law increases violence prevention in hospitals, including risk assessments of the facilities, and will take effect Jan. 1.
"A hospital is supposed to be a place of healing and recovery … and we're seeing that it's now a place where a mass shooting can take place," Alice Johnson, executive director of the Illinois Nurses Association, told the Chicago Tribune.
3. Hospitals throughout Illinois are increasing safety and security efforts to comply with the new law. Advocate Aurora Health is even accelerating its safety training program to all of its inpatient and outpatient facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin. The safety training program requires every employee to complete an online active shooter response class.
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