The Ober|Kaler Health Care General Counsel Institute presented this webinar on key considerations for health care facilities in protecting patients, workers and visitors from workplace violence and active shooter situations. Recently, regulatory agencies have taken a more vigorous position regarding their expectations for health care facilities to be adequately prepared for handling these types of situations, and have announced aggressive plans to investigate facilities that fail to comply with the new requirements. Our discussion addressed recent guidance from key agencies including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Presenters included Emily Wein, an Ober|Kaler Health Law Group attorney who previously served as in-house counsel to a multi-hospital academic health system; Jennifer Curry, an Ober|Kaler Employment Group attorney who regularly advises health care facilities on compliance with employment-based regulatory requirements; and Zach Wein, a Baltimore City Police Department SWAT Team officer who has helped coordinate training in hospitals. Emily, Jennifer and Zach shared their relevant experience and knowledge in reviewing the requirements for complying with new regulatory workplace safety guidance and planning for an on-site regulatory investigation. The discussion also offered suggestions as to how to best prepare for these types of situations.