This emergency type includes a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs, someone causing property damage (inside or out), an aggressive person, or any threat of an extreme nature.
If a person approaches you or other staff members in a persistent manner, listen to their concerns, speak with, and try to assist them.
When you are confronted with aggressive or agitated behavior:
1. Try to remain calm.
2. Seek help from other staff.
3. Do not attempt to resolve the situation.
If faced with a hold up, a violent person, or any threat of an extreme nature, do the following:
1. Announce a Code Black over the PA (if possible).
2. Activate the duress alarm.
3. Do a group call to staff on the emergency pager, or contact the most senior person on site.
4. If possible, call 911.
5. Do nothing to provoke or confront the intruder.
6. Observe the offender’s appearance (height, weight, age, clothing, speech, disabilities, etc.).
7. Warn other staff and patients unobtrusively.
8. If possible, move the situation away from staff and patients.
9. Be reasonably slow in handing over keys, money, or information, but consider your safety.