Brian Uridge, MPA, CPP, CHPA, CTM currently serves as the Deputy Director of DPSS for the University of Michigan and Director of Security for the University of Michigan Health System, Michigan Medicine. Brian is also a sworn police officer for the University. He manages over 200 public safety staff members for a system that has 30,000 employees that see over 2.2 Million patients a year. He shared his thoughts with us on why healthcare security matters more than ever before and his tips to those in the healthcare security sector.
How did you become interested in healthcare security?
I became interested in reducing healthcare violence after retiring from law enforcement and moving into the security world. I quickly realized that each hospital is a community and every floor is a neighborhood. Using non-traditional policing methods focusing on relationship building helped understand the needs of each floor and more effectively reduce risk and anxiety.
What advice you would give security professionals interested in healthcare security?
As Security professionals we need to focus on the three tenants of security: Trust, Training and Technology. If we focus on trust first and foremost, build relationships and create a common understanding, we can more effectively deliver our services. Once we have created relationships, we can work with nurse educators to create scenario based training founded upon solid tactical principles, once reserved only for law enforcement and military professionals. This type of training is applicable in the healthcare environment and accepted more readily when we develop and co-instruct with clinical staff.
Why should security professionals have healthcare security on their radar?
Violence in healthcare is a pervasive, increasing problem. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 75% of all workplace violence occurs in healthcare settings. And that number may be on the low side—only 30% of nurses and 26% of physicians ever report workplace violence incidents.
- Healthcare injuries, assaults account for 10-11%, private sector all others 3%
- 2018 47% of ER Doctors report being physically assaulted
- 80% of doctors state violence impacts patient care
- 97% attacked by patient with 28% by family member
Healthcare workers are at much greater risk of violence!
- Average injury rates for jobs in US are 12 incidents per 1000,
- Physicians-at 17 incidents per 1000
- Nurses are 22-34 per thousand
- Psychiatrists at 60 incidents per 1000
- Psychiatric technicians at 68 incidents per thousand
To learn more on this topic and hear more insights from Brian, join us 28 April when he presents, “Achieving a Culture of Zero Violence: Leadership Strategies to Improve Healthcare Security Programs.”
