7 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9
• Armed intruder train-
ing. There had been an
uptick in violent incidents
throughout UPMC
Pinnacle, so leadership at
the Harrisburg, Pa.-based
health system created
a Disruptive
Patient/Visitor Team
that's on call to keep staff and patients safe. When the disrup-
tive event alert is given, security staff, nursing supervisors,
physicians and other team members respond. UPMC's staff has
been trained on how to disengage people who are in crisis as
well as how to calm people down who are exhibiting dangerous
behaviors. The staff conducts mock drills, which include practic-
ing how to lock down and evacuate an OR if a violent event takes
place. "Our staff is our most precious resource and we work
hard to keep them safe," says Sandra Winston, MHA, MSN, RN,
vice president of surgical services. — Adam Taylor
• SERVE AND PROTECT UPMC Pinnacle created a multidisciplinary
team that responds to violent situations.
UPMC
Pinnacle
