OSHA Issues Hazard Alert Letter to Boston Hospital

The letter comes as the nurse's union calls for improved hospital security.
Published: January 28, 2016

Federal safety officials have given a Boston hospital a list of ways it can improve security after a doctor was killed last year.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected Brigham and Women’s Hospital following calls from the nurse’s union to make changes, according to myfoxboston.com.

The nurse’s union chair claims there’s been more assaults on nurses in the past year than ever before and said hospital workers feel less secure since a doctor was killed in the hospital on January 20, 2015.

In that incident, a doctor was fatally shot by a disgruntled relative of a patient who had been treated at Brigham and Women’s.

——Article Continues Below——

Get the latest industry news and research delivered directly to your inbox.

RELATED: Patient Assault of 2 Nurses Prompts Union to Demand Improved Security

OSHA’s letter acknowledged that the hospital doesn’t violate any safety standards and that hospital officials have put programs in place to deal with workplace violence.

But the letter also gave the hospital 14 recommendations to decrease the threat of workplace violence.

The letter’s recommendations included ensuring doors are locked after business hours; ensuring card access equipment is operational; investing in metal detectors to keep weapons out; improved security officer staffing; and improved safety training for hospital workers.

ADVERTISEMENT
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series