Even in a smaller community like Hastings, times are changing. Increases in mental health issues and drug problems are some of the reasons why the security team at Mary Lanning Healthcare is making some changes of its own.
Karee Dvorak, MLH Director of Security, said she has been working since November 2023 to implement some needed training. Her 10-member team provides 24/7 service at MLH.
“We have to protect the security staff if they are going to protect the building, staff, patients and families, plus members of the public,” Dvorak said. “They asked for more training.”
Dvorak sought out training that was not only hospital-specific but tailored to MLH. The team recently spent several hours learning techniques for de-escalation of patients with mental health and/or drug-related issues, physical tactics for safely subduing out-of-control patients and ways to keep themselves and the patient safe until more help arrives.
“The staff feel a lot more confident in their skills,” Dvorak said. “If they feel safer, having what they need to defend themselves, they can better handle difficult situations.”
In addition to the training, the security team will be getting stab-resistant/bullet-proof vests.
“Security staff will look a little different,” Dvorak said. “But we are trying to build the security program to meet the needs of MLH and the community because times are changing. And we want security to be more than a job. We want team members to have a career here.”