Confront Difficult Conversations Head On
Transitioning from a perioperative nurse to a leadership role in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) presented me with numerous challenges, but none were as daunting...
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By: Jennifer Collins
Published: 8/6/2014
ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION
How Would You Respond to an Armed Intruder?
We’d just finished a bomb threat drill when one of my staff asked a good question: How would we handle a shooting situation? Our center didn’t have a policy or emergency plan for such an event, but in light of the recent rash of armed intruders harming and killing innocent people in public places, we decided we needed one.
Plus, our surgery center specializes in spine and pain procedures. We see a lot of pain patients, most of whom are repeat patients. The nature of our business and the types of drugs we keep on hand made us feel that we may be more vulnerable to an armed attack than most surgical facilities. Then there’s the nature of the economy. With higher deductible plans forcing patients to pay upfront, it’s no secret that surgical facilities collect cash from patients. Here’s what we did.
Police officers warned us that during these types of situations, no one can predict how any one person will react. Some staff may be calm under this kind of situation and others may panic. Management can only provide staff with several options and choices for their protection and safety. We all hope that this type of event never occurs. It’s always best to be prepared, however. We will be practicing this drill each year from now on.
— Jennifer A. Collins, CMOM, CASC
Transitioning from a perioperative nurse to a leadership role in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) presented me with numerous challenges, but none were as daunting...
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