N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 3
A
patient's son
went on a
stabbing spree
at our busy surgical
center and GI lab 3
years ago. While in the
waiting room, he
pulled out a 6-inch
knife and stabbed 3
people, killing 2: a pre-
op nurse and a man
waiting to take his son
home. Since the attack, we've taken many steps to improve safety and
security at our facility. For example, only staff with an RFID (radio
frequency identification) badge can access clinical areas of the facili-
ty. We installed panic alarms, peep holes in doors and security cam-
eras to monitor access points. We also designated certain restrooms,
offices and break rooms as safe rooms. We placed a large silver stick-
er on the door facing to identify each locking safe room (we chose sil-
ver because our armed assailant plan is called "Code Silver"). We
trained staff to ensure they're all aware of the locations of the safe
rooms in case they, our patients or our visitors ever have to shelter in
place. As our incident taught us, it's best to be prepared for an armed
assailant.
Beth Chrismer, MSN, RN
Good Shepherd Ambulatory Surgical Center
Longview, Texas
bchrismer@gsmc.org
Designate Safe Rooms
• SAFE ROOM Silver stickers on the door facing designate safe rooms throughout the facility.
