Scratching at the Surface

Elevating Training Standards for Security and Clinical Staff in Healthcare Settings

Introduction

The importance of comprehensive, practical training for clinical and security staff in the evolving healthcare landscape cannot be overstated. Training models have diversified from traditional in-person, lecture-based programs to online modules and hybrid formats. As technology advances and with the growing influence of artificial intelligence, new training methodologies are emerging that promise to reshape the educational environment further.

Healthcare organizations must evaluate the success rates of these models, aligning them with their operational goals and compliance requirements. More critically, organizations must discern whether they are applying temporary solutions to meet regulatory expectations or fostering genuine improvements that enhance safety, performance, and quality of care.

The Problem with Cookie-Cutter Training

Many available training programs for clinical staff and security follow a cookie-cutter model, focusing on generic, outdated content that fails to meet the complex demands of today’s healthcare environments. This approach may satisfy minimal regulatory requirements but falls short of equipping security officers with the skills necessary to handle modern threats, particularly in a healthcare setting, which is increasingly affected by mental health crises and workplace violence.

Workplace violence incidents in healthcare settings have risen sharply in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from the American College of Surgeons indicate that 81.6% of nurses have experienced at least one type of workplace violence in the past year, and nearly half have seen a rise in rates. Mental and behavioral health-related situations primarily drive this increase in such incidents. Healthcare today is not only medically complex but also socially volatile. Security training must evolve to match this reality.

Often, traditional training that does not adapt to the "what if" scenarios commonly faced in healthcare facilities leaves security staff ill-equipped to respond effectively. Programs must be dynamic, scenario-based, and incorporate real-world problem-solving to remain relevant and impactful.

The Cost of Minimal Compliance

Organizations that view training as a checkbox exercise risk significant financial, reputational, and operational consequences. Litigation costs, workers' compensation claims, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage resulting from preventable incidents can far exceed the investment required to implement robust training programs.

Conversely, proactive investment in high-quality, comprehensive training can yield substantial returns, including reduced incidents of violence, improved employee morale, enhanced patient satisfaction, and strengthened organizational resilience.

As Benjamin Franklin wisely stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This principle is especially true in healthcare security and clinical training.

Learned Knowledge Versus Applied Knowledge

A key distinction in educational effectiveness lies between learned knowledge and applied knowledge. Learned knowledge encompasses theoretical understanding gained through study, memorization, and discussion. Applied knowledge, however, extends beyond theory, requiring the practical use of that information in real-world situations.

Practical healthcare training must move beyond the academic. It must ensure that staff, both clinical and security, are not only knowledgeable but also capable of applying their skills proficiently under pressure. Applied knowledge demands regular practice, reinforcement, and assessment. Without these elements, even the most robust training can quickly become obsolete, as skills deteriorate over time without consistent use and refinement.

While lecture-based and online training programs are valuable for introducing new concepts and perspectives, they often fail to instill lasting behavioral change. The human brain absorbs new information quickly, but without repetition and application, that information fades. Training programs that fail to incorporate ongoing practical application risk producing staff who are knowledgeable in theory but lack operational competence, especially when under pressure or heightened emotion.

Training in the Clinical Setting

Recognizing these challenges, the healthcare industry has invested significant resources into the continual education and skill maintenance of clinical staff. Programs such as "skills days" are widely implemented, providing opportunities for clinicians to practice essential techniques, update their competencies, and learn emerging best practices.

Clinical staff must demonstrate proficiency regularly and obtain Continuing Education Units (CEUs), typically around 40 annually, to maintain their certifications. These efforts ensure that clinical staff retain their skills and remain abreast of evolving standards of care, technology, and procedural innovations.

While healthcare organizations traditionally prioritize clinical training focused on patient treatment, there is a growing need to expand training efforts to include comprehensive workforce safety initiatives. Ensuring the safety and well-being of healthcare staff is essential to maintaining a resilient, effective healthcare system and directly contributes to improved patient care outcomes.

Security Staff Training: A Critical Gap

Despite the critical role security officers play in maintaining a safe healthcare environment, their training requirements are often less rigorous and less structured than those of clinical staff. Unless mandated by organizational policy or external regulatory bodies, healthcare security officers are rarely required to engage in ongoing education or skill verification.

As a result, many healthcare organizations rely on external vendors to deliver training and certification programs for security staff, particularly in areas such as de-escalation, physical intervention, and crisis management. However, finding high-quality, up-to-date training programs that satisfy regulatory standards remains a significant challenge.

This gap in structured training leaves hospitals vulnerable. Untrained or undertrained security personnel may be ill-prepared to respond effectively to incidents, increasing risks to patients, staff, visitors, and the organization.

The Hybrid Training Model: A Path Forward

Healthcare organizations should implement a hybrid training approach for clinical and security staff to address the shortcomings of traditional models. This model combines the strengths of lecture-based or online education with hands-on skill development, practical application, and continuous reinforcement.

An effective hybrid training program should include the following elements:

• Lecture-Based Learning: Introduce theoretical knowledge, regulatory updates, policies, and new concepts.

• Online Modules: To offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing staff to complete theoretical training at their own pace.

• In-Person Skills Maintenance Sessions: To practice hands-on skills, reinforce competencies, and apply theoretical knowledge in controlled environments.

• Scenario-Based Drills: To simulate real-world incidents, foster critical thinking, decision-making under pressure, and teamwork.

• Ongoing Assessments: To verify proficiency regularly and identify areas for improvement.

• Adaptability: To Elevating Training Standards for Security and Clinical Staff in Healthcare Settings.

  
  

This comprehensive approach ensures that staff are informed and prepared to act effectively, confidently, and safely when faced with real-world challenges.

Training Security Officers: Special Considerations

Security staff operate at the intersection of healthcare, law enforcement, and customer service. Their training must reflect the unique challenges of this role, including:

• De-escalation Techniques: To manage aggressive or disruptive individuals without using physical force whenever possible.

  
  

• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT): To recognize and appropriately respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

  
  

• Physical Intervention Skills: Use methods that prioritize safety, legality, and minimal force to safely restrain individuals when necessary.

  
  

• Transparent communication with clinical staff: creating synergistic training with clinical staff.

  
  

• Customer Service and Communication Skills: To maintain a compassionate, patient-centered approach even in stressful situations.

  
  

• Legal and Ethical Considerations: To ensure compliance with laws, hospital policies, and ethical standards.

  
  

A one-size-fits-all training program is insufficient. Security staff must receive specialized, ongoing training tailored to the realities of the healthcare environment.

Conclusion

The healthcare environment is complex, dynamic, and fraught with challenges that demand more than basic compliance with regulatory standards. Practical training must go beyond checking the box and cultivate actual competence, confidence, and readiness among clinical and security staff.

By adopting a hybrid training model that combines theoretical education with practical application, healthcare organizations can bridge the gap between learned and applied knowledge and between security and clinical staff. Such programs enhance staff performance and patient safety, protecting the organization from preventable risks and liabilities.

In today’s healthcare landscape, where safety, efficiency, and excellence are paramount, investing in comprehensive, adaptive training programs is not just prudent but essential.