Think about steps to thwart not just infant abductions, but kidnappings of older kids
There is some indication that there is at least one Joint Commission surveyor who is very keen to see what processes are in place to avoid potential abductions of children in the 12+ age range (I tend to think of them as adolescents as a general descriptor).
While environment of care standard EC.02.01.01, EP 9 does specifically mention infant and pediatric abductions, it is possible for “other” abductions to occur.
This would certainly be very site/community/culture specific, but something that should at least be considered in the grand scheme of the security risk assessment process. Even though we haven’t experienced many actual abductions, it’s still something upon which to keep an eye, particularly in our culture of ever-increasing custody battles, both spousal and institutional.
About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a consultant for The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro. He brings 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is the author of HCPro's Hospital Safety Director's Handbook and is contributing editor for Briefings on Hospital Safety. Contact Steve at 
