Hospital implements new security procedures

Effective March 14, Springfield Hospital will institute enhanced security procedures in the Emergency Department. For the safety of all patients and staff, the Emergency Department will become a locked area.


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2016-03-11 / Local Springfield Hospital implements new security procedures SPRINGFIELD — Effective March 14, Springfield Hospital will institute enhanced security procedures in the Emergency Department. For the safety of all patients and staff, the Emergency Department will become a locked area. Emergency Department access for family members and visitors will require a sticker for identification. Family and visitors wishing to use the cafeteria will be instructed to exit and re-enter through a secured door. When the cafeteria closes for the evening, family and visitors will be restricted to the Emergency Department area and visitors will not be allowed access to the rest of the hospital without escort. Effective immediately, all patients, family and visitors are asked to always enter the Emergency Department through the Emergency Department main entrance. During early implementation of this new policy, Emergency Department patients and visitors who come to Springfield Hospital’s main entrance will be identified and instructed regarding appropriate access to the Emergency Department. “Springfield Hospital takes the safety of patients, visitors and staff seriously,” said Jan Sherer, chief of Patient Care Services. “These changes increase the safety in the Emergency Department and throughout Springfield Hospital. We ask the public’s understanding and cooperation during implementation of these security changes.”