Today, I attended a meeting geared round being prepared for the “crazy that happens in our world.” It was a fascinating meeting, and it got me thinking are you prepared for the “crazy” in your practices. When I refer to “crazy,” I am referring to, the unbelievable/unthinkable that could happen in your practices. Are you prepared for the uncontrollable patient, domestic violence with the patient, violence toward a provider or team member, or the worst possible an active shooter? Almost all of our practices are prepared for national disasters to keep our clinical/financial records safe but are you prepared to keep your team and providers safe in your practices from the “crazy”? Do you have a plan in place for the unthinkable?
The FBI puts out stats regarding active shooters every couple of years; the last one stated there was an increase in incidents from previous years, “with casualties at 231 (92 killed and 139 wounded). Out of the 42 shooters, 39 were male and three female. 37% of these were considered “Mass” shootings which in the FBI view is three or more are killed in one situation. 12 of the 40 incidents happened in business environments with a total of 29 killed and 42 wounded. So out of the 231 casualties, 71 casualties happened in a business environment”.
So the question I have to say to you, As a Leader in your healthcare space, are you prepared? If your prepared, excellent! However, if you are not prepared, then it is time to get prepared. You must be able to come up with a plan that will protect your team and continuity of your business. It is essential to reach out safety experts (like your local police, security experts, etc.) to help identify your vulnerability and access points in your practice. As well as how to protect those points from penetration by an individual who may want to harm the individuals in your office. Develop a plan and practice (simulate)the plan if at all possible. You have to know how your team will react if the unbelievable happens. Don’t just think about the practice you are in (Micro) when you are to making the plan think about the building you are in (Macro) as well, especially if you are sharing a building with many different practices or businesses.
Remember if the unthinkable/unbelievable happens it will affect your operations of the practice because even if the team says they are OK, they will not be. Be sure to add to your plan how you will handle the disruption to the practice, physically, mentally, and productively and operationally. Don’t forget that social media is almost as fast as lighting so make sure to have in place how you will handle family members calling and showing up at the site as well as media outlets. There is so much to think about but as the leader don’t think “This won’t happen to me” because it may, and I want you to be prepared.
Cissy Mangrum, MBA, CMPE, CPC
Revitalize Healthcare Solutions
CEO/Principle Consultant
E: Cissy.Mangrum@cmhealthconsulting.net
Website: www.revitalizehealthcaresolutions.com
P: 615-397-5042
References
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-releases-study-on-active-shooter-incidents
https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/activeshooterincidentsus_2014-2015.pdf/view
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