HCHC to be staffed with 24/7 security guard

Henry County Health Center will be staffed with a 24/7 security guard through Per Mar Security Services in the next couple months.

The board of trustees approved contracting Per Mar at the recommendation of HCHC administrators during a regular board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 20. The proposal was introduced during a board meeting in August.

'I think this has to be a priority,” HCHC CEO Robb Gardner said. 'Every place should be safe, but when people come to seek care, they need to feel safe when they come get that care and there's no risk for harm.”

The security team will cost HCHC an additional $188,000, which was not included in the 2018-2019 fiscal budget. The budget was passed a mere three months ago.

Security guards hired for HCHC will most likely be retired military or police officers at Per Mars recommended. Per Mar is responsible for hiring these individuals, and their first hiring would be a lead security officer. Per Mar also will conduct a security audit once or twice a year.

Security guards will be provided with handcuffs and an expandable baton and should have a working knowledge of first-aid. Gardner said they will not carry any other weapons and the hospital should not rely on a security officer to de-escalate a violent situation. If a violent situation does arise, local authorities will be called.

More so, a security officer will be someone who can keep administration in the loop on anything potentially dangerous happening in town such as the robbery at US Bank on Friday, Sept. 14.

There will be a total of seven security guards taking shifts at HCHC. Per Mar, which is based out of Cedar Rapids, is not concerned about filling the positions. Jeff Husar, Training and Development Specialist, went as far as telling Gardner that if they do have a vacant position, he himself would fill it.

Gardner said the recommendation was well-received by medical staff, who feel the pressure to take care of their patients and don't want to concern themselves with whether or not they are keeping everyone safe.

The security guard will not be a patient sitter for involuntary mental health care patients. Currently, it is often left to officers from the Sheriff's Office to oversee violent patients and if they get too out of hand, patients are taken to another location.

'We've got to keep our people safe in the ER,” Gardner said. 'I'm grateful for the relationship we have with the Sheriff's Office because they recognize that.”

Gardner said they have had mental health patients wait as long as nine days for acute care placement. Another proposal is in the works for how to better manage patients who need patient sitters, Gardner said.

In other news, Carla McNamee took oath of office to join board of trustees after Ron Clouse stepped down in July.

The next board of trustees meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 16 at noon.