Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
An R-Based Landscape Validation of a Competing Risk Model
Published on: September 16, 2022
Managing facility risk: external threats and health care organizations
Daniel J Reid1, William H Reid
1Managing Director of Paladin International, LLC (an international business negotiations firm) and Paladin Special Operations Branch, LLC (a firm providing risk assessment/solutions and crisis management consultation and services for corporations and governmental agencies domestically and worldwide).
Abstract:
Clinicians and clinical administrators should have a basic understanding of physical and financial risk to mental health facilities related to external physical threat, including actions usually viewed as "terrorism" and much more common sources of violence. This article refers to threats from mentally ill persons and those acting out of bizarre or misguided "revenge," extortionists and other outright criminals, and perpetrators usually identified as domestic or international terrorists. The principles apply both to relatively small and contained acts (such as a patient or ex-patient attacking a staff member) and to much larger events (such as bombings and armed attack), and are relevant to facilities both within and outside the U.S. Patient care and accessibility to mental health services rest not only on clinical skills, but also on a place to practice them and an organized system supported by staff, physical facilities, and funding. Clinicians who have some familiarity with the non-clinical requirements for care are in a position to support non-clinical staff in preventing care from being interrupted by external threats or events such as terrorist activity, and/or to serve at the interface of facility operations and direct clinical care. Readers should note that this article is an introduction to the topic and cannot address all local, state and national standards for hospital safety, or insurance providers' individual facility requirements.
Insights
Mental health facilities face physical and financial risks from various external threats, including terrorism and common violence. Understanding these risks is crucial for clinicians and administrators to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Administration
- Public Health
- Mental Health Services
Background:
- Mental health facilities face multifaceted risks from external physical threats.
- These threats range from patient-related incidents to large-scale terrorist activities.
- Ensuring patient care accessibility requires robust physical and financial security.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce clinicians and administrators to the physical and financial risks facing mental health facilities.
- To highlight the importance of understanding non-clinical requirements for care continuity.
- To inform on strategies for preventing care interruption due to external threats.
Main Methods:
- Review of potential threats including terrorism, criminal acts, and individual violence.
- Discussion of applicability to various scales of incidents and geographical locations.
- Emphasis on the integration of clinical and non-clinical operational needs.
Main Results:
- Clinicians need basic understanding of physical and financial risks from diverse external threats.
- Preparedness is essential for both small-scale patient incidents and large-scale attacks.
- Familiarity with non-clinical operational needs empowers clinicians to support facility safety.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians and administrators must understand facility risks to ensure patient care continuity.
- Integrating clinical expertise with operational security is vital for mental health services.
- Proactive risk management is essential for maintaining accessible and safe mental health facilities.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
01:21Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
00:59Hospitals-II
Nurses that work in...