HR0947 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0947 LRB098 20639 GRL 57196 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the Safety and Security Department at Presence Mercy Medical Center for its work in keeping the staff of the medical center safe; and

WHEREAS, Healthcare workers are at a high risk of violent assault and crime at work, with 48% of all non-fatal injuries from 1996 to 2000 inflicted upon healthcare and social services workers; and

WHEREAS, Workplace violence accounts for approximately 900 deaths and 1.7 million incidents of non-fatal assaults in the United States each year; sources estimate that nurses and other healthcare workers are assaulted more frequently than any other worker group in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to reduce violence at Presence Mercy Medical Center, Security and Safety manager Douglas Kaiser and Security Sergeants Robert Lea, Christian Pfister, and Darin Northern have planned ahead by being prepared to act swiftly to deal with threats, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior at an early stage; one effort being made at Presence Mercy Medical Center is to provide the members of their security department with effective training to deal with or identify potential violence problems; and

WHEREAS, The Safety and Security Department at Presence Mercy Medical Center also believe that training is a critical component of any prevention strategy for staff, supervisors, and other employees; after seeing the need for a vigorous training effort, 100% of the officers within the Security Department have studied, tested, and received certification for basic level training for Healthcare Safety and Security Officers by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety in a period of less than a year; in addition, 92% of the department's members have studied, tested, and received certification for advanced level training and 83% of the department is certified at the supervisory level; the department is also qualified to apply for the prestigious International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety "Program of Distinction", which very few healthcare facilities have achieved; and

WHEREAS, The Safety and Security Department at Presence Mercy Medical Center consists of Manager Doug Kaiser, Sergeant Robert Lea, Sergeant Christian Pfister, Sergeant Darin Northern, Officer Kendra Cowper, Officer Dan Nichol, Officer Jim Rees, Officer Victor Jimenez, Officer Miguel Saenz, Officer Kerry Haggard, Officer Tom Greiner, Officer David Oliver, and Officer Nora Rodriguez; and

WHEREAS, The Safety and Security Department at Presence Mercy Medical Center serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the Safety and Security Department at Presence Mercy Medical Center for its work in keeping the staff of the medical center safe and wish them continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Safety and Security Department at Presence Mercy Medical Center as a symbol of our esteem and respect.