Our enhanced security screenings, which have been in place in Building A since Aug. 14, entered the next phase Thursday, Aug. 24. There is now security screening at Buildings B, C and D.
This means all patients and visitors will enter through one of these screening sites:
Remember: This screening is for patients and visitors only — employees and providers are not required to go through screening. Please be respectful as you enter and exit buildings so you do not contribute to any congestion at the screening sites. As we navigate the new security screening process, please help direct patients and visitors to these screening entrances.
Phase 2 work is underway, including the next steps for security screening at West Valley Hospital, which is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Here's the latest you need to know about our enhanced security:
Salem Health has been keenly aware of the potential risks we face every day. The escalating reports of violence against healthcare workers and in healthcare facilities across the country, including closer to home with the tragedy at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, have contributed to this heightened awareness, but we have been focused on preventing and addressing harmful words and actions for some time.
Earlier, we installed weapons detection at the Salem Hospital Emergency Department entrance, launched a new reporting system and conducted active shooter trainings across the organization. We are in the process of hiring full time security at our off-campus locations. We have hired a national security consultant to provide a fresh set of eyes for assessing risk.
Even with all these measures, the stark reality is that to protect our employees, providers, patients, and visitors, we need to take the next step in this work. Last week, we assembled a task force to design and execute the first phase to prevent and eliminate weapons in our facilities.
There will be a multi-phase roll out of enhanced security across all Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics locations. We are already problem solving for next steps of weapons screening at West Valley Hospital, clinics and other off-site locations.
On the Salem Hospital campus, patients and visitors will go through weapons screening prior to entering buildings, following this schedule:
Building D – Creekside entrance off the main turnaround and Building B (main turnaround) closed at noon on Monday, Aug. 14.
Public entrances and other badge access entrances will remain open, including Building B’s patient discharge door.
Use the skybridge to re-enter Building A, not the screening station. Staff re-entering Building A after they exit Creekside Dining are causing crowding and congestion at the screening station, which leads to patients and visitors slipping through without being screened. Security staff are requesting that employees use the skybridge to return to Building A, rather than re-entering through the same entrance where screening is occurring. Let’s help remind each other! Leaders, please share this with your staff during 1:1s and weekly huddles.
We are facing significant resource constraints accessing both equipment and staff to execute security screening at every building, so we could only start with a few buildings. Eventually all buildings will have this protection. We briefly considered asking all patients and visitors to enter through a single entrance at the Emergency Department but decided that was not realistic.
To establish the order in which we would launch screening, a threat assessment was completed based on volume, literature review and using our SAFER matrix. We are already problem solving for next steps of weapons screening at West Valley Hospital, clinics and other off-site locations.
The only change to parking is the patient ADA parking under Building A is closed. These patients will be accommodated with ADA spaces in the main parking garage.
We do not anticipate any parking changes for employees or providers.
No. At this time, patients and visitors must enter through one of these six entrances:
At this time, employees/providers are not required to go through screening. You may enter and exit through screening entrances, but please be mindful of creating additional congestion. If an area is very busy, consider using a different entrance or exit.
If you are exiting through a badge-only entrance, please do not allow non-badge holders to enter. Please direct them to the nearest public entrance for their desired destination.
All Salem Health badge holders - employees, providers, students, volunteers and contractors – are asked to be mindful of others who may want to enter on your badge swipe. Please only allow others who have their badge displayed to enter with you. If a patient or visitor would like to enter with you, please inform them of our enhanced screening measures and direct them to the nearest public entrance for their desired destination. If necessary, consider walking with them to ensure their best experience in navigating new screening measures.
There are no additional visitor restrictions in place. Visitors will need to be prepared to comply with all security screening measures.
We recommend the following script, or something similar:
“Thank you for your patience today as we have added some new security measures for the overall safety of our hospital/clinic. I know it took some time to get through the security screening and I want you to know that you will not miss your appointment. You will still be able to be seen today. The staff is aware of the timing challenges today and we are all here to help. Thank you again for your patience and kindness. If there are any questions I can answer for you in the meantime, please let me know.”
We recommend sharing the following:
“Our weapons detection system is not a traditional metal detector and has not proven to cause any problems in these situations. However, if you have concerns, please share these with the security teams and they will accommodate your request for alternative screening.”