Hospital Prioritizes Employee Safety Following Unprecedented Violent Incident Report: Sutter Health Investments Include Camera Installation and Secured Doors

Golomb and her colleagues have been advocating for increased safety measures at Sutter Health. They recently presented a petition to hospital management signed by over 100 psychiatry residents, fellows, and nurses. This petition called for a round-the-clock security presence in the inpatient psych unit and an intensive care unit, citing concerns about safety threatening the ability to provide high-quality care.

Sutter Health has invested nearly $40 million in enhancing security for the unit where Golomb was attacked. Measures include the installation of cameras, panic buttons, duress alarms, and secured doors. Additionally, a security officer is now stationed in the unit during daytime hours.

Comsti emphasized the importance of violent incident reports in the successful implementation of workplace violence prevention plans. These reports allow workers to stay informed about what is happening and to communicate with their employer about areas in need of improvement. Following the publication of Golomb’s story, Sutter Health’s president and CEO, Warner Thomas, sent an email to hospital employees titled, “Keeping you safe from harm at work.” This indicates a commitment from the organization to prioritize the safety and well-being of its staff.