We understand there are times when it is appropriate for law enforcement to maintain custody or otherwise remain with patients who have been admitted or who are receiving care in the Emergency Department. The health system will cooperate with law enforcement and/or correctional officers while we provide for the treatment of patients under arrest or in the custody of law enforcement.

Our responsibility is to provide treatment for patients under our care while also providing for the safety and welfare of all our patients, staff and visitors. This brochure is designed to provide law enforcement and correctional officers with the information they need to assist us as we care for our patients.

Please read this brochure so that you have an understanding of your responsibilities. Feel free to ask any staff member for clarification if you have questions. We ask that you respect and abide by the rules. Please understand that the patients’ right to privacy and quality healthcare are our top priorities while they are in our facilities.

 

Your Duty To Secure The Patient

• A uniformed officer must remain with the prisoner at all times.

• Please have appropriate means of identification visible at all times.

• Cape Fear Valley Security Officers will not accept responsibility for a prisoner undergoing treatment or awaiting treatment or admission.

• Cape Fear Valley employees or security are not permitted to assume custody of the patient or to relieve you of your duties.

• Patient treatment/procedures cannot be interrupted or delayed for any reason.

• If you see a patient or visitor in obvious physical distress, notify a staff member immediately.

• Report incidents or security situations by dialing on an in-house phone (*20 on Cisco phones or 20 on Nortel phones).

• In addition, please report any incident involving a patient or visitor to a staff member as soon as possible.

• All information about our patients is confidential. Please refrain from discussing patient information with anyone who doesn’t need to know.

• Please respect our patients’ right to privacy and dignified treatment.

• Be aware that in some patient care areas, two-way radios may interfere with certain patient-care equipment.

• Officer must remain in the patient’s room

 

Hospital Chain Of Command

Clinical Issues:
Ask for the Lead Charge Nurse

Security Issues:
Betsy Johnson Hospital:

Bladen County Hospital: 862–1216

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center: 615-5566

Central Harnett Hospital:

Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital: 615-1183

Hoke Hospital: 904-8135

Administrative Issues: 
Contact the switchboard (Dial “0” and request to speak with the Administrator on Call).

 

Emergency Call Codes

Blue: Medical Emergency

Blue Pediatric: Pediatric Emergency

Red: Fire/Smoke Alarm Activation (except Cape Fear Valley Medical Center)

Pink: Missing Infant or Child

Other emergencies, such as Tornado Warning, Active Shooter, Missing Person or Mass Casualty are given in plain language.

When reporting these issues, be specific as to the nature of the incident and provide as many details as possible to Security or the switchboard operator.

 

Emergency Procedures

Fire Safety

Make sure to locate the fire exits and fire pull boxes in the area where you are stationed. If you discover a fire, remove the patient from harm, then:
 

R-A-C-E

Rescue: Any patient in danger from the area.

Alarm: Activate the nearest pull station.

Contain: Do whatever you can to contain the fire.

Evacuate: Assist the staff with evacuating the area if necessary.

 

Medical Gas Zone Valve Shut-Off

Authority: Respiratory Therapy, Engineering, Person in charge of department

 

Hazardous Spills

If you discover what appears to be a hazardous spill, a fluid or material that could be dangerous if touched, please do the following:

• Contain the spill

• Restrict access to the area

• Contact the nearest staff member or call Security

 

Restraints

There are two types of acceptable restraints:

1. Administrative Restraint: A restraint required by legal authorities when a patient needs to be physically restrained by a locking mechanism to provide for safety or detention by legal authorities.

2. Clinical Restraint: A restraint ordered by physician order of approved protocol based on the clinical needs of the patient for patient care.