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Use of handcuffs by hospital security staff on violent individuals until law enforcement arrive

By Kevin McQueen posted 05-13-2015 05:18 PM

  
We are reviewing our current security policies and are interested to hear what other organizations are allowing in regards to security officers using handcuffs to restrain violent individuals on hospital grounds. The use of handcuffs would NOT be on patients as we already follow CMS guidelines. We are concerned with non-patient individuals that are violent and dangerously at risk for harming either the officers or other individuals in the area.

We are located in Southern California, so we would especially like to hear from other California hospitals if you willing to share.

Thank you,

Kevin McQueen, MHA, RCP, RRT, CM
Director of Safety/EOC/Patient Safety Officer
Oceanside, Ca. 92056
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Comments

Kevin McQueen
07-01-2015 01:22 PM

Debra,
Thank you for responding. This is an interesting concern I was hoping for more responses from other organizations. I appreciate your time and information you shared.

Debra Jenkins
07-01-2015 10:56 AM

Hello Kevin,
We have a mix of armed and non-armed security guards employed. Our armed guards do carry hand cuffs. They will use the hand cuffs when necessary to provide a safe environment for the violent visitor and those in the surrounding area until law enforcement arrives. I'm relatively new in my role and the policies I found are related to existing prisoners who come in with law enforcement for medical treatment. The CMS rule does state : The use of handcuffs applied by non-hospital employed law enforcement officials does not apply to the restraint rule. 482.13 Interpretive Guidelines. Of course, this is not the question you posed. I can send the policies I have but I DON'T think its what you are looking for. We do NOT have a policy on the use of handcuffs by Security for the violent visitor. You have raised a good topic and I have reached out to our security leader to start the process of a policy statement and orientation checklist / guidelines for security personnel. Just my commentary. Thank you for the thought provoking questions . Debra - Northwest Florida