Atrium Health Navicent's police force sets model for Georgia

Plans are in the works to make conditions safer for hospital workers and patients across Georgia. Governor Kemp recently signed the Safer Hospitals Act into law. It increases punishments for violent acts against healthcare workers and lets hospitals create their own police forces. Remy Cohen shares how one health system already has a police department in place to protect their staff. Lisa Holman is a registered nurse at H-R-M-Z-R. She says there's two officers in the ER at all times helping to make sure she's safe. And it makes us feel safer and better so that we can take care of the patients and not be worried about what's going on around us.

H-R-M Health Navasint established its police department back in 1975. That's according to Chief Jesse Crowder. H-R-M is the only health system in the area with the police department. I've had several hospitals reaching out. I just wanted to share how we got established and different things to help them be successful. Crowder says before the 70s the local police department used to assign officers to patrol. But with the increase in calls they needed their own department.

A lot of times we find that having that police presence also de-escalates situations. According to nurse.org national database of nursing quality indicators in 2022 did a survey that found on average two nurses are assaulted every hour in the U.S. Psychiatric units, ERs and pediatric units see the highest numbers of assaults. Holman's worked as an ER nurse for 10 years. Temperatures are high, emotions are high and families get upset, patients are upset.

So it can be a little concerning sometimes how I rate people can get. Crowder says anything that happens in the community ends up at the hospital if it's bad enough including shooting victims. As the area's largest healthcare facility and only trauma unit it's important to make sure they've got safety covered. In Macon, Rami Cohen, 13W Amazing News. Atrium started with 27 police officers back in the 70s. Now they have around 45 and they're looking to keep growing. We're taking a closer look at law enforcement in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The conversation about law enforcement in hospitals and other medical offices gaining new attention after a gunman opened fire in midtown Atlanta Medical Center. Deon Patterson is accused of killing one woman and hurting four others last week. Some of those hit by bullets are nurses. Anyone convicted of assaulting a healthcare worker on site could face five to 20 years in prison. The law goes into effect July 1st. The American Nurses Association says one in four nurses reports being physically assaulted. The celebration of life for Amy St.

Pierre, the woman killed in the midtown shooting, will be held in Atlanta tomorrow.

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