Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge, La., is ramping up security efforts amid an increase in violence at healthcare facilities in the area and nationwide, the organization announced.
As part of those efforts, the hospital has hired 13 security response officers with law enforcement and/or military backgrounds. The officers will provide coverage around the clock beginning in March, in addition to contract security staff. Contract security staff will continue working at entrances, visitor check-in and on mobile patrol.
"Our hospital leadership recognizes that the safety of our staff, patients and visitors is of utmost importance, especially in light of recent acts of violence in hospitals across the country," Bill Icenogle, director of emergency management and security for Woman's Hospital, said. “What we're doing at Woman’s is on the cutting edge, with a hybrid approach to security. We manage our own armed security team, which means we have full control over their training, certifications and readiness to respond."
Woman's Hospital said it has also implemented a lockdown system for patient care areas and is providing management of aggressive behavior training to nurses and other staff to address workplace violence.
The new security efforts come amid multiple attacks violent incidents at area hospitals, according to Business Report. Most recently, a 12-year-old girl was abducted from Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans at gunpoint Feb. 14 and later found unharmed.