Hospital security guard's well-being and repeated exposure  to personal threats in the workplace: a qualitative study in an Australian hospital

This study aimed to understand the effect of repeated exposure to personal threats on hospital security guards' well-being.A single site, qualitative study using a convenience sampling approach to recruit hospital security guards who attend code black (staff, patient or visitor exposed to a personal threat) calls.Five interviews were held with eight hospital security guards. Seven of the eight participants were male. Seven were Caucasian. All had extensive experience in the industry. Six consistent themes emerged from the data covering well-being, coping and support; concerns about physical safety; compassion and compassion fatigue; effective communication is crucial; role/s; and training and equipment.This study used a convenient sampling approach to recruit security guards from one acute hospital in Australia, limiting the applicability of the findings to other contexts. Although the majority of hospital security guards were interviewed, the format of interviews varied between one-to-one interviews and focus groups, based on the availability of guards to participate and attend.We recommend that the role of the hospital security guard in Code black situations is documented in policy and practice documents, and articulated in multidisciplinary aggression management training. There should be clear statements on the importance of strong communication and clinical leadership in code black situations. Hospital security guards should attend Mental Health First Aid training, which ...
Source: International Journal of Workplace Health Management - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Source Type: research