THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410080299
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
A man is abducted from the parking lot of an area hospital by an escaped prisoner armed with a handgun. A newborn baby is stolen from its mother by a deranged woman.
These are just two examples of violent acts that have occurred at hospitals in South Hampton Roads. There have been many others, and it is not a problem that is limited to Virginia.
Nationwide, assaults in hospitals have increased by 51 percent, according to a survey conducted by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety. It is a problem that has health care professionals alarmed and puzzled.
``No hospital wants this type of behavior,'' said Linda Glasson, past president of the association, who helped organize a two-day, statewide seminar on hospital violence that concluded Friday at Portsmouth's Maryview Medical Center. ``In this environment, people come for a service, not to experience a hassle.''
Glasson, director of safety and security at Maryview, said the problem is a reflection of the general increase of violence in society. It is also a reflection of an increasing awareness of the problem.
Glasson said that although there are no regional statistics available, she and other health care providers take the problem seriously. She said it is rooted in reality and not based solely on media-created perceptions.
``Nurses and other staff members are more concerned about assaultive behavior in work areas, and there are better reporting mechanisms in place,'' she said. ``But from anecdotal experience, we are seeing an increase in behavior problems.''
Data is scarce because, even though it isn't new, the problem has not been studied thoroughly, Glasson said.
Some of the assault increase can be attributed to better reporting of minor incidents, such as slaps, pushes and shoves. And the most frequently occurring illegal acts in patients' rooms are these kinds of minor assaults, disorderly conduct and thefts.
But serious incidents, such as abductions, kidnappings and life-threatening assaults, also are believed to be increasing, Glasson said.
Glasson said that use of standard procedures by security officers and law-enforcement agencies must be followed.
In the case of the prisoner who escaped in the parking lot of a Hampton Roads hospital earlier this year, a sheriff's deputy did not follow proper procedure mandated by his own office, Glasson said.
Patients also have to be involved in the planning for greater hospital safety, Glasson said.
They must be made to feel that asking questions about security is encouraged.
``It is important that people don't get paranoid,'' Glasson said. ``They need to use good common sense.'' by CNB