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http://www.mendocinobeacon.com/ci_9488852?source=most_emailed
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Unwelcomed weapons challenged
By CONNIE KORBEL Of The Mendocino Beacon -
Article Last Updated: 06/05/2008 08:14:35 AM PDT
Simple "No Firearms Allowed on This Property" signs installed on Mendocino Coast District Hospital glass doors in January, along with the smoke-free campus signs, have been called into question.
According to CEO Raymond Hino in a telephone interview on Tuesday afternoon, an individual who asked to remain anonymous registered a complaint, inquired about when the signs went up and asked about the hospital's policy. The caller said the hospital can't have a policy that puts restrictions on individuals who have permits to carry concealed weapons.
"It appears he's right," said Hino. "Unless the sheriff designates the hospital as a weapons-free environment."
The board and its attorney, John Ruprecht, discussed the weapons policy at the May 22 meeting.
A year ago, the district approved a revised "Search of a Patient's Room and/or Belongings" policy with signatures from the security supervisor, director of support services, chief clinical officer, director of risk management, chief executive officer and the president of the board of directors. In addition, the "Firearms and Dangerous Weapons on Hospital Property" policy was revised with similar approving signatories.
Last Thursday night, Ruprecht told the board it has the authority to have the policy (Penal Code Section 171(c) can be read at http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/171b.html), but if it does, it must be enforced. He advised the board and CEO Hino that if they adopt a restrictive policy, they must act responsibly in enforcing it and in an non-negligent manner.
"This is not an easy issue," said Ruprecht.
Hino said, "It would be extremely difficult for us to enforce with so many [building] accesses at the present time."
Hino said it would require metal detectors and more staff to carry out correctly.
"We have had instances when employees have had a gun pointed at them," Hino said.
Board Vice President Mike Dell'Ara said, "I don't know that it [policy] buys us any protection and it raises liabilities."
Chief Clinical Officer Roni McDermott countered.
"There should never be a gun on the premises. Period," she said.
"What if someone gets shot and we don't have a policy?" President Camille Ranker asked.
"I don't disagree with the current policy," said Ruprecht. "We should talk about some form of security."
Dell'Ara said, "Sounds like it's a solution looking for a problem."
Board member John Kermen, chief of medical staff, expressed concerns about a recent college shooting, presumably at Louisiana Technical College.
"It's not much of a step to go from a college to a hospital," Kermen said.
He favors adopting a policy and enforcing it, including the possibility of deputizing some current personnel.
"It's the right of employees to work in a weapon-free environment. I've seen what guns can do," attorney Sean Hogan, speaking as a member of the public, said. "The presence of a weapon — legal or not — reduces the level of care. Some people are very uncomfortable around firearms. That's the nature of people's reactions to weapons."
Skip MacLaren, member of the hospital's citizens advisory committee, suggested they talk to Sheriff Tom Allman and ask him to designate all the hospitals in the county as "weapon-free" campuses.
"The issue is very polarized," he said.
Patient search policy
A reasonable cause for a search is defined as a situation in which a patient possesses or is reasonably believed to possess prohibited medications or illegal substances, medications other than those prescribed by a physician, weapons, firearms, ammunition or other dangerous items, intoxicating beverages or substances and other items which present a danger to life, health and/or safety of the patient and others.
The procedure, prior to initiating a search, is detailed, and if the patient objects, law enforcement will be notified to evaluate and determine the appropriate action. Among the options is, if medically stable, discharging and escorting the patient from the premises.
Notice Regarding Firearms and Other Weapons
Attorney John Ruprecht prepared this draft policy statement for MCDH: "Penal Code Section 171(b) prohibits the possession of firearms or other deadly weapons in the hospital's buildings unless you are a duly appointed peace officer or a person holding a valid concealed weapons permitted pursuant to Penal Code Section 12050.
If you are a peace officer who is not in uniform or a person validly licensed or permitted by law to carry a concealed weapon, please provide proof of your authority to carry a concealed weapon at the time of entry into any of the hospital's buildings to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, whose office is in the Main Hospital Building directly past the entry foyer."
Note: We're interested in your view on this. Email Connie Korbel at [email protected].
--------------------
Our input is needed here, folks! Give them an email and tell them that we support legal carry in every location, as it promotes more safety and security, not less.
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Unwelcomed weapons challenged
By CONNIE KORBEL Of The Mendocino Beacon -
Article Last Updated: 06/05/2008 08:14:35 AM PDT
Simple "No Firearms Allowed on This Property" signs installed on Mendocino Coast District Hospital glass doors in January, along with the smoke-free campus signs, have been called into question.
According to CEO Raymond Hino in a telephone interview on Tuesday afternoon, an individual who asked to remain anonymous registered a complaint, inquired about when the signs went up and asked about the hospital's policy. The caller said the hospital can't have a policy that puts restrictions on individuals who have permits to carry concealed weapons.
"It appears he's right," said Hino. "Unless the sheriff designates the hospital as a weapons-free environment."
The board and its attorney, John Ruprecht, discussed the weapons policy at the May 22 meeting.
A year ago, the district approved a revised "Search of a Patient's Room and/or Belongings" policy with signatures from the security supervisor, director of support services, chief clinical officer, director of risk management, chief executive officer and the president of the board of directors. In addition, the "Firearms and Dangerous Weapons on Hospital Property" policy was revised with similar approving signatories.
Last Thursday night, Ruprecht told the board it has the authority to have the policy (Penal Code Section 171(c) can be read at http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/171b.html), but if it does, it must be enforced. He advised the board and CEO Hino that if they adopt a restrictive policy, they must act responsibly in enforcing it and in an non-negligent manner.
"This is not an easy issue," said Ruprecht.
Hino said, "It would be extremely difficult for us to enforce with so many [building] accesses at the present time."
Hino said it would require metal detectors and more staff to carry out correctly.
"We have had instances when employees have had a gun pointed at them," Hino said.
Board Vice President Mike Dell'Ara said, "I don't know that it [policy] buys us any protection and it raises liabilities."
Chief Clinical Officer Roni McDermott countered.
"There should never be a gun on the premises. Period," she said.
"What if someone gets shot and we don't have a policy?" President Camille Ranker asked.
"I don't disagree with the current policy," said Ruprecht. "We should talk about some form of security."
Dell'Ara said, "Sounds like it's a solution looking for a problem."
Board member John Kermen, chief of medical staff, expressed concerns about a recent college shooting, presumably at Louisiana Technical College.
"It's not much of a step to go from a college to a hospital," Kermen said.
He favors adopting a policy and enforcing it, including the possibility of deputizing some current personnel.
"It's the right of employees to work in a weapon-free environment. I've seen what guns can do," attorney Sean Hogan, speaking as a member of the public, said. "The presence of a weapon — legal or not — reduces the level of care. Some people are very uncomfortable around firearms. That's the nature of people's reactions to weapons."
Skip MacLaren, member of the hospital's citizens advisory committee, suggested they talk to Sheriff Tom Allman and ask him to designate all the hospitals in the county as "weapon-free" campuses.
"The issue is very polarized," he said.
Patient search policy
A reasonable cause for a search is defined as a situation in which a patient possesses or is reasonably believed to possess prohibited medications or illegal substances, medications other than those prescribed by a physician, weapons, firearms, ammunition or other dangerous items, intoxicating beverages or substances and other items which present a danger to life, health and/or safety of the patient and others.
The procedure, prior to initiating a search, is detailed, and if the patient objects, law enforcement will be notified to evaluate and determine the appropriate action. Among the options is, if medically stable, discharging and escorting the patient from the premises.
Notice Regarding Firearms and Other Weapons
Attorney John Ruprecht prepared this draft policy statement for MCDH: "Penal Code Section 171(b) prohibits the possession of firearms or other deadly weapons in the hospital's buildings unless you are a duly appointed peace officer or a person holding a valid concealed weapons permitted pursuant to Penal Code Section 12050.
If you are a peace officer who is not in uniform or a person validly licensed or permitted by law to carry a concealed weapon, please provide proof of your authority to carry a concealed weapon at the time of entry into any of the hospital's buildings to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, whose office is in the Main Hospital Building directly past the entry foyer."
Note: We're interested in your view on this. Email Connie Korbel at [email protected].
--------------------
Our input is needed here, folks! Give them an email and tell them that we support legal carry in every location, as it promotes more safety and security, not less.
