NCJ Number
175502
Date Published
1996
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This document provides guidelines to healthcare professionals for preventing and responding to infant abductions.
Abstract
Guidelines in this document are intended to provide, in part, security strategies and protocols that support security standards established by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The volume defines infant abduction and describes the typical offender. Guidelines for healthcare professionals include necessary actions, processes that should be reviewed by quality management team personnel at least quarterly, and highly recommended actions. A critical incident response plan includes guidance for maternal-child care nurses, security personnel, law enforcement officers and public relations officers. Separate chapters address liability; after discharge from the maternal-child care unit (special care nurseries and pediatric units, outpatient areas, homes); what parents need to know; and self-assessment for healthcare facilities. Tables, figures, bibliography