Welcome to Jefferson Regional Medical Center

INFANT/ CHILD ABDUCTION SECURITY SYSTEM (CODE PINK)

SECTION 1:  POLICY
It is the policy of Jefferson Regional Medical Center to ensure that all reasonable care will be taken to provide a safe and secure environment for the infant and pediatric patients.

SECTION 2:  PURPOSE
To prevent an infant / child abduction; in the event of an abduction, to ensure that all hospital personnel and outside agencies are notified appropriately, with the goal being to locate and reunite the infant and family as quickly as possible.  Effective crisis management immediately following an infant abduction requires close cooperation between doctors, nurses, administrators, security, law enforcement personnel and the media.  Given the urgent nature of an infant abduction and the time critical decisions that must be made, this cooperation becomes vital. (No hospital employee or volunteer is authorized to make a public statement concerning this incident or to communicate with a member of the media without prior clearance from administration or designees.)

SECTION 3:  PROCEDURE

I. Prevention

A. Equipment

1. Code Alert Security System / transmitter.

a. Monthly testing of the system by Telecommunications Department.

b. Alarming band is tested each time deactivator is used.

c. Alarming band transmitters will be replaced on annual basis.

d. Transmitters will be cleaned after every use with a antibacterial agent.

e. Defective transmitters will be tagged and sent back to “Code Alert”.

2. Identibands.

a. Given to mother at admission

b. Matching band given to infant at birth.

3. Employee Identification Badges.

4. Security “Key Pad” lock on the Nursery door.

5. Parent instruction sheets “What Parents Need to Know” & “Rooming - In”.

6. Abductor Profiler “Federal Guide”.

7. Transmitter log book.

B. Essential Steps

1. Maternal / Child Care Nurses shall:

a. Place transmitter and band to limb upon admission to pediatrics and/or nursery. Give admission bath prior to affixing transmitter on infants.

b. Document on nurse's notes the time the transmitter was affixed to child/infant.

c. The presence and testing of the transmitter unit must be confirmed each shift, document in nurses notes. Document the transmitter number on the admission kardex.
d. If the transmitter is missing, apply another transmitter immediately and document in nurse's notes. Complete an incident report to include why unit was missing.

e. Maintain daily log and printout of the Code Alert System.

f. Give “What Parents Need to Know” and “Rooming-In” instruction sheets to parents or guardian and have them sign received on teaching sheet.

g. Instruct parents not to give infant/child to anyone who does not ask for identification number on Identiband, or who is not wearing a Jefferson Regional Medical Center badge.

h. Never leave the Nursery unattended.

i. Infants are to be transferred via crib only. (Unit evacuation is an exception)

j. All personnel should be alert to persons exhibiting unusual behavior (i.e. frequent visits to nursery window, asking questions in regards to feeding times procedures, babies being transported without cribs, etc.)

k. At the time of discharge or removing the band for readjustment, the time and date the transmitter was deactivated must be recorded in the log book.

II. Response to a Code Alert Alarm

A. Maternal / Child Care Nurses shall:

1. When an alarm sounds, all appropriate personnel will respond and investigate alarming exit BEFORE turning alarm off.

2. Immediately  account for all infants and children. The Charge Nurse will approve an “all clear” when infants/ children are account for.

3. If unable to account for all infants or children, call extension 3333 (operator)and advise them of the (CODE PINK) situation. Refer to III. Abduction in this policy.

B. Security will:

1. If requested, assist nursing in accounting for all infants and children.

2. Detain all persons on the floor until an all clear is given by the charge nurse.

3. Prepare to initiate III. Abduction of this policy.

III. Abduction

A. Maternal / Child Care Nurses shall:

1. When a Nurse has a suspicion an infant / Child is missing, they will do a complete search of the entire unit. If the infant/child cannot be found call extension 3333 (operator) and advise them of the (CODE PINK) with location of the occurrence and identification of the missing infant/child.

2. Protect the crime scene for evidence, and relinquish to Security if possible.

3. Move the parents of the missing infant/child to a private off the maternity floor  and assign hospital staff (preferably their nurse) to be with them at all times to
ensure their privacy and monitor their condition. Contact the attending Physician for assistance with the parents.

4. Once briefed by the Clinical Manager/Shift Supervisor/Charge Nurse, the nurses should explain the situation to the other mothers while mother and  infant are together. (DO NOT let them get the news from the media.)

5. If event occurs at change of shift all employees involved must stay until dismissed by law enforcement.

6. A nurse (preferably the one who has been caring for the mother) should be assigned to be the single liaison between parents and hospital after discharge.

B. Operator will:

1. Upon receiving the call / information from nursing the operator will announce 3 times (CODE PINK) and location / floor of occurrence.  (Advise Security by radio).

2. Call “911” and advise them that “An infant has been abducted” and relay all pertinent information to them.

3. Notify:

a. Director of Patient Care Services

b. Manager of Security

c. Administrator On Call

4. Initiate “NO INFORMATION” status for this patient.

5. Transfer all inquires to the designated Public Relations person.

C. Security will:

1. Secure the hospital and post hospital staff at all exits. Staff will direct all person(s) to enter and exit through the main entrance by the operator. (Medical emergencies are the exception)

2. Staff the main entrance and identify all persons leaving / entering the facility. Pay particular attention to anyone with infants / children and check all luggage, gym bag, and other items where a infant / child could be hidden.

3. Ensure crime scene preservation for the police department by posting a person to protect the scene.

4. Coordinate with the local police department to plan the search phase of the interior / exterior of the facility.

5. Give briefings to administration / nursing shift supervisor as necessary.

6. Assist the local police department with the investigation as requested.

7. Call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 for assistance in handling ongoing crises.

8. Make all necessary reports.

D. JMH Staff shall:

1. Check their immediate area for the possible abducted infant / child.

2. Request cooperation from all persons and direct those leaving the facility to exit thought the main entrance by the operator.

3. Do Not stop anyone that refuse to cooperate, immediately notify security (3333), and follow that person at a safe distance and record any vehicle information available. (Write it down)

4. Give all information to security (As Soon As Possible).

E. Administration shall:

1. Once notified of the incident, determine the need to initiate the Emergency Response Plan (Internal Disaster).

2. Administration will develop a plan to meet the needs of each situation. This plan should include the following:

a. Appropriate method of informing the other patients

b. Ensure additional Nursing, Security and Social Services Personnel

c. Administrative “relief” during the crisis

d. Assessing the needs of the parents of the abducted infant / child and clarifying the specific request,  (i.e., visitors, media coverage, assistance with contacting other family members, etc.)

F. Public Relations Liaison

1. Prepare hospital operator with written response they may use to handle outside callers, including anxious parents who are planning a birth at the hospital.

2. Contact media; request they come to a designated area to receive information about the abduction. Provide facts, request assistance for the public in recovery of the infant and ask for respect of  privacy of the parents. Release only information approved by Administration, Risk Management and Law Enforcement.

SECTION 4:  REFERENCES

Department of Justice

International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety

Crystal City Police Department

Nation Center for Missing and Exploited Children

“Safeguard Our Tomorrows”, Mead - Johnson

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207