CHAMBERSBURG – WellSpan officials are taking added steps regarding the safety and security of team members and patients after the recent shooting and hostage event at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Memorial Hospital in York.
They noted that starting this week, all staff, patients and visitors will notice designated specific entrances to hospitals to ensure optimal safety for all. This includes closing certain entrances to limit access to hospitals.
“We are also implementing more security enhancements as further safety measures,” said Ryan Coyle, senior manager of media relations.
In the York incident, a gunman shot and killed a police officer and injured three hospital staff members before being killed by police.
Coyle noted the WellSpan changes are in addition to the increased safety and security investments WellSpan Health has made over the last two years, with investments of more than $20 million. The effort is part of a multi-year plan to increase security across WellSpan campuses to reinforce an organizational commitment to the safety and security of all who enter a WellSpan facility.
“As we noted last week, we continue to evolve how we may best ensure that team members can provide their life-saving care without fearing for their own safety in the workplace,” Coyle noted. “These measures of providing secure entrances to our facilities is aligned with that response.”
“As part of WellSpan’s commitment to create a zero-harm environment and increase safety for all, the system continues to invest millions to expand its Strongline program, which is a real-time incident notification system and badge for WellSpan team members to press when in a threatening situation,” Coyle said. This system is currently in all WellSpan facilities in the LocalNews1 coverage area.
“To date, this program has been implemented across 188 WellSpan location (including hospitals) with more than 20,000 badges issued to team members,” Coyle added. “When activated, the notification system directly notifies security officers and teams to quickly diffuse numerous potential harmful scenarios and has helped to improve workplace safety.
“All told, these actions have led to a 55 percent reduction of workplace violence injuries resulting in time off work over the last year,” he noted.
Coyle said WellSpan also uses metal detectors in settings where entry volumes demand it. That includes using 24/7 metal detectors at the Emergency Department entrance to WellSpan York Hospital and having armed, on-duty police officers working as hospital resource offices at WellSpan York Hospital. Security teams across WellSpan also use handheld wands during times of enhanced security as needed.
“We appreciate the understanding of our team members, patients and visitors as we make these changes,” Coyle said. “Patients and visitors can expect volunteers and security personnel to aid in direction to appropriate entrances in all our facilities where changes have occurred. Individuals with questions about access to a specific location are advised to contact that facility directly.”
