Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) are responsible for providing a safe and therapeutic environment while respecting the rights and privacy of those entrusted to their care. IAHSS guidelines are intended to assist healthcare administrators in fulfilling their obligation to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment; while carrying out the mission of their healthcare organization.

"Healthcare facility" (HCFs), for purposes of IAHSS guidelines, shall mean any facility used in providing healthcare service or treatment simultaneously to four or more patients:

• who may be primarily incapable of self-preservation due to physical or mental limitation; or
• who are undergoing treatment or testing which may temporarily render a patient incapable of taking effective action under emergency conditions without assistance from others*.

The statements and intents of IAHSS guidelines are designed to be applicable to all HCFs. These guidelines support the need to comply with all national, state / provincial, county and local requirements and are intended to be in harmony with all regulatory, accreditation, and other healthcare professional association requirements and guidelines.

IAHSS members have complete access to all approved guidelines in the Members Only Section.

To learn more about the guidelines or to request one, please click here - info@iahss.org

DOWNLOAD the file on "How to Write a Draft Guideline"

Sample guideline - Security Officer Staffing and Deployment

IAHSS Guidelines - Table of Contents:

• 01. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• 02. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
• 03. TRAINING
• 04. INVESTIGATIONS
• 05. DOCUMENTATION
• 06. PROGRAM MEASUREMENT/IMPROVEMENT
• 07. ACCESS CONTROL
• 08. PHYSICAL SECURITY
• 09. AREAS OF HIGHER RISK
• 10. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT