How long have you been with the company?
I have worked with the hospital for two years. I have been in this position for a year and a half. When I first started
I was a supervisor, and then moved up to management. Before I came to South Pointe Hospital, I was a police officer with
the Cleveland Police Department. It was definitely a good move for me to come to South Pointe.
How many beds are at the hospital?
We just had a census taken two days ago and the count was about 200 beds. This was a milestone for us. We are comfortable
with having around 150 of the beds occupied by patients. When there are more beds occupied than that, we are pretty full.
If we have anything around 200 beds full, that means we are on the verge of having to close down. In the last two years,
we have been getting steadily more full. Other medical facilities in the area are closing, causing more patients to come
here.
How is your facility laid out?
The hospital is set up like a campus. We have two buildings here, Building A and Building B. Building A is a hospital previously
called Suburban Hospital. Building B is the former Brentwood Hospital. So, South Pointe is the combination of the two former
hospitals, into one. Building B is the actual hospital, where the ER is located and surgeries take place. Building A is
a rehab therapy and mental health facility. Both buildings have regular doctors’ offices. The two buildings are 600 feet
apart. There is a shuttle service, but you can walk between the two as well. They are not connected on the inside. The buildings
can run separately, but they work best in conjunction with each other.
So, the hospital has been around for many years?
Yes, but we are getting ready to break ground on a $30 million dollar addition to the facility. It will be a heart, trauma,
and chest center. The expansion will be about 100,000 square feet. It will have three stories total. There will be a state-of-the-art
library and a 250-seat auditorium. The auditorium will be used for physicians’ seminars and conferences. It will be very
high tech. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this June 2001. The project is forecasted to be complete in early 2003.
Are the majority of your security issues with the patients, or outside guests?
With the new changeover of hospitals, I would say that traffic has increased 100%. We have more visitors and outpatients
than ever. There are more unfamiliar faces than there used to be. We are watching to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Do you ever need special security?
Yes, we have what is called a Forensic Custody Policy. This is where criminals are brought to the hospital because they
are injured or sick. A House of Corrections is located very close to us. We are not responsible for these patients. The
police are fully in charge of them because they are prisoners.
How many officers do you have?
We have about 20, but we will probably have more once the new wing is opened. There are four guards working at any one time.
We keep one officer in Building A, one in Building B who is the supervisor for that shift, a dispatcher, and a mobile officer.
We have one officer patrolling the parking lots in our mobile patrol. We have three vehicles total. There are six different
areas to park. All the lots are on the campus. It is mandatory that all officers do two tours per shift. We have 41 site
spots, or buttons, located in Building A, and 49 in Building B. There are 15 exterior buttons for the mobile patrol.
How are the security officers viewed?
We have had a transition here recently. We are now security/public service officers. So, we are not just looked at as security
guards. We do more than the average guard would even think of doing. We are involved in transporting patients, and valet
parking. We do this to assist the hospital. We wear clean uniforms that are pressed and starched. This helps us to be viewed
more positively and appreciated more.
Do the officers go through training?
We recently became certified with the state. We took a state board certification test. This is associated with the International
Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS). The officers that received the certification have a patch to wear
on their uniforms stating they are certified. This also helps people to view us as more than just security guards.
What do you like best about The PIPE?
It is a way to ensure the officers did the rounds. Whether they were enjoying doing the rounds or simply going through the
motions, you know they were there. That is the best purpose for The PIPE.
The PIPE is efficient, professional looking, less cumbersome than a big clock, and fits in a pocket. The officers
can carry it around all day.
Do you use the reports?
Yes, I download the reports myself twice a week. I like them because the proof is right there on paper. It has a name and
a time that people were there, so they can be held accountable.
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