| Hospital
takes security seriously
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are some of the most active public places in the United States, and since most facilities want to maintain an open-door policy, they are vulnerable to criminal activity if left unprotected. St. Mary’s Hospital understands the unique challenges of protecting patients, employees and property while maintaining privacy and continuity of care in an open environment. As a safe guard for their patients and employees, St. Mary’s Hospital has initiated a new security policy. All side doors will be locked and only accessible to some employees. The main front door of the hospital willbe unlocked daily from7:00 am to 8:00 pm.When the door is locked; visitors will need to be ‘buzzed’ in by pressing the intercom button on the front door. Access through the Emergency Room door is M-F from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm and closed Saturday and Sunday; there is also an intercom button to use when that door is locked. The clinic and Orr building’s front doors will be unlocked during regular business hours. St. Mary’s Hospital will continue to develop their safety policies as the government continually issues new regulations, site security and emergency plans, evaluations and inspection guidelines. In the event of an emergency; St. Mary’s Hospital will initiate a total campus wide lock-down. All doors will be locked and patients/visitors will only gain access upon approval of the facility screener. “We understand that this policy may be an inconvenience for some of our patients and visitors, but their safety is our number one concern,” commented Leianne Everett, COO for St. Mary’s Hospital. “Even though we live in a small rural area, we need to be proactive when it comes to safety.” |
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