Management of Hospital Security in General Hospitals of Southwestern Uganda
[1]
Ezra Sebakiga Bigirac, Rubaare Health Centre IV, Ntungamo District Local Government, Ntungamo, Uganda.
[2]
Simon Peter Katongole, Faculty of Health Sciences, Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda.
The management of security varies in different organizations including hospitals, and security is one of the major support services needed for ensuring a safe environment of care. This study determined the management of security in general hospitals in Southwestern Uganda. A descriptive-cross-sectional study, which employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, was carried out. Common security concerns were theft, assaults, workplace violence and elopement with generally low chances of security concerns happening and poor preparedness to handle them in case they occurred. Only two out of six hospitals fairly met the security standards with identified gaps like lack of security guidelines, security plans, security committees, and non-availability of training opportunities for security personnel. Hospital managers and other policy makers involved in the management of hospital security should work together and address the security gaps existing in general hospitals in order to improve on the management of security.
Security, Security Managers, General Hospital, District Police Commanders, Security Committee, Security Personnel
[1]
Aldridge, J., Hospital Security: The past, the present and the future- part1. Washington, DC: Security Assessment International. 2006 Available at http://www.saione.com/articles/HSPPF-part 1 [Accessed 20 April 2013].
[2]
Erickson, L., Williams-Evans, S., Attitudes of Emergency Nurses regarding Patient’s assault.. Journal of Emergency Nursing. Vol. 26, No 3, 2000, pp 210-215.
[3]
Hazelwood, A.C, and Hazelwood, S., The Joint Mission on Accreditation of Health care Organizations. Oakbrook, Illinois: Joint Commission Resource, Inc. Library of Congress, 2005.
[4]
Hove, M., Ngwerume, E., and Muchemwa, C., The urban crisis in sub Saharan Africa: A threat to human security and sustainable development. International Journal of Security and Development. Vol. 2, No.1, 2013, pp.1-14. Available at < http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/sta.ap > [Accessed 27 May 2013].
[5]
Kabane, S.,. Hospital Security in South Africa: Hospitals improve security. 2010, Available at < http://www.sanews.gov.za/suoth-africa,pelononi-hospital-improves security> [Accessed 27 May 2013].
[6]
Matheson, C.,. Hospital Security Risk Management. London: Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) Specialty Limited. 2010, Available at < www.jltgroup.com/.../risk....261876-Hospital-security> [Accessed 30 February 2013].
[7]
Meyer, H., Hospital Security Survey, 2011. Available at
[8]
[Accessed 08 July 2013].
[9]
MOH-Uganda, Annual Health Sector Performance Report, 2012. Kampala, Uganda
[10]
Murzycki, J., Hospital Security. Ten Healthcare facility best practices for visitor management. 2012, [online] Available at: www.compussafety magazine.com/channel/Hospital-Security/Articles/2012/10/10-Healthcare-Facility-Best-Practices-for-Visitor-Management.asp> [Accessed 13 April 2013].
[11]
New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA),. Emergency Preparedness for Hospital Security. Princeton. New Jersey Hospital Association. 2004, Available at < www.gnyha.org/321/File> [Accessed 02 June 2013].
[12]
Rogers, D.,. Safety and Security Assessment, Planning and Training Requirements. California: Hospital Association Press, 2010. Available at < www.calhospitalprepare.org/...safety and security assessment-planning and training requirement > [Accessed 30 May 2013].
[13]
Schneider, T.J., Hospitals meet security challenges with integrated solutions Schneider-Electric. Inc. 2008.Available at: < www.schneider-electric.us/documents/customers/health care/resource-library/hospitals-meet-security-challenges-wp.pdf> [Accessed on 28 May 2013].
[14]
Schweizer, E., 2013. How can an integrated Healthcare infrastructure improve patient safety? Schneider-electric.co.uk, [blog] 01 February. Available at < http://blog.schneider-electric.com/data centre/security/2013/02/01/how-can-an-integrated healthcare infrastructure improve patient safety> [Accessed 30 May 2013].
[15]
Siddiqi, S., Huda, O., Elasady, E., The role of Hospitals in enhancing Public Health Security: Perspective from Eastern Mediterranean region. International Hospital Federation Reference Book 2008/2009. Associated Press. Egypt. Available at: < publications.ki.se/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10616/38824/thesis.pdf? .1[Accessed 28 May 2013].
[16]
Sullivan, M., Robertson, G., Nibbelink, S., Stieva, G., Robert, C., Neave, G., How an intelligent Infrastructure can help optimize hospital safety and Security. Schneider Electric Inc. 2011, Available at [Accessed 30 May 2013].
[17]
Turner, J. T., Hand book for hospital security. Aspen Publishers, Inc. 1988. Washington, DC.
[18]
Uganda Radio Network,. Security issues in Ugandan Hospitals. Press release, 2012.
[19]
Ulrich, R. S; Zimring, C; Joseph, A; Quan, X. and Choudhary, R., 2004. Role of physical environment in the Hospital of 21st Century: A once- in- a lifeline opportunity. Concord, CA: The center for Health design.
[20]
Vellani, K. H., 2006. Strategic Security Management: A Risk Assessment Guide for Decision Makers. Woburn: Butterworth-Heinemann.
[21]
Warner, L. National Health System Counter Fraud and security management services. 2003.
[22]
Available at [Accessed 20 February 2013].
