As part of an ongoing evolution to security in the hospitals, and partly in response to the recent abduction of a baby from the hospital, Cottage Health System has developed new security measures that include locking down all three hospitals in the system.

 

It sounds strange to admit actually, but I like to eat at lunch the hospital.  Especially Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.  Not only is the food delicious and the serving sizes healthy (not giant, but appropriate), the setting is quite nice on the patio under the few shady spots.  Up until recently, I used to walk into the hospital from the back door where the emergency room is, and through a meandering rat maze, work my way through to the cafeteria.  It was never much fun taking that route as, inevitably, I would end up hearing or seeing something about someone else's' health care that I didn't really want to know about.  And there has always been the nagging question about what the Negative Pressure room was for. 

 

But things have changed.  Even before that lady stole a baby back in late February.  A couple of weeks ago the President and CEO Ron Werft sent out an Op Ed about the coming changes.  He emphasized his desire "in providing a safe environment for patient care.....  Cottage will be implementing additional security measures, including a patient and visitor identification system.  Our goal is to continue to balance and support the accessibility to programs and services while assuring patients that they are being treated in a safe, secure environment."

What this really means is that the entrances are now controlled for the most part.  It's a good start.  At Goleta Valley Hospital it seems pretty effective.  I can't get in anywhere except the front entrance.  Although as anyone familiar with security can tell you, the system is only as strong as the weakest link.  Although physical and real barriers that exist to entry are effective, it's the soft side that is weak.  Some call it social engineering - creating a compelling story to engage someone to do something they wouldn't normally do; or just catering to the politeness of staff to break security measures can be pretty easy. 

 

Janet O'Neill, Director of Public Affairs for Cottage acknowledged that there have been no new security people hired.  They have hired "Greeters - people trained in hospitality."  These people are stationed at the entrances and will stop you and interrogate you on your destination.  If you come in to visit someone, they will verify that person is there.  They will record your name, and the unit you should be in and put that information on your fresh sticker badge.  And well trained they are.  Very cordial.  When asked what the protocol is when someone is found outside of where they are supposed to be, O'Neill responded "staff is trained to respond with 'Talking Points' to politely ask 'can I help you find your guest?' using very polite and non-confrontational language and tone.  And honestly that is going to work 90 percent of the time.  When I left the Cafeteria along the way, I went out the back way - the opposite direction of the cafeteria - and greeted at least two staff people with my CAFETERIA sticker boldly emblazoned across my chest.  They were very polite!  But nobody challenged me.  That's OK, since I am not a bad guy.  But if I were, I wonder how things might work out.

 

In closing it's important to realize that there is some balance to be found here.  This is not a prison, and controlled substances are usually if not always under lock and key.  The hospital industry has been undergoing a change over the last ten years, moving more towards treating patients like hotel guests. The changes give people comfort with the knowledge that security cameras are in place, and security folks are on staff to protect. They do it in a way that leaves them feeling like guests. You can cheat if you are looking for trouble, but to what end? Socially speaking I don't think we want to go any further.  Hopefully additional security incidents will not lead us to have TSA like security.  This feels just about perfect, and the food is fabulous and inexpensive - really! Try it before you HAVE to try it!