Protective Services takes extra measures to keep employees, patients and visitors safe

Protective Services has increased officer rounding, provided staff education, added technology and taken other steps to help keep employees, patients and visitors safe inside and outside Yale New Haven Hospital.

The department’s crime-prevention measures inside and outside both hospital campuses and at other YNHH facilities include rounds in parking lots and garages and at ambulatory locations. Officers conduct nearly 6,500 rounds each month on patient care units, and perform “direct rounding” twice a day in areas with patients at greater risk of escalating behavior such as confusion, irritability and threats.

“This direct rounding allows our officers to work closely with clinical staff in an effort to be proactive and mitigate patient issues before escalation,” said Nick Proto, Protective Services director.

Other crime-prevention measures include:

• Approximately 1,000 employee escorts per month. To request an escort, call Protective Services at the York Street Campus: 203-688-2500; Saint Raphael Campus: 203-789-3800.
• Huddles on every patient care unit to provide safety tips and tools to staff.
• Equipment and technology inside and outside YNHH facilities, including 1,800 internal and external cameras, 2,700 card readers, more than 100 emergency blue phones and 2,500 panic devices.
• The 155 phone line and ELERTS “See Say Now” phone app, which connect directly to Protective Services’ dispatch 24/7.
• A "See Something, Say Something” hotline (203-688-7777) to report suspicious activity or people.
• A Safe Pathway Initiative that added camera coverage and lighting between the two campuses and in parking areas.

Every year, Protective Services responds to more than 150,000 calls for service to support employees, visitors and patients, and responds to approximately 28,000 patient interactions.

Protective Services also works closely with Yale University and New Haven police to prevent and respond to crimes.

“Hospital employees should know that their reports about criminal activity are taken seriously and will be acted upon,” Proto said. “We work with the police department and criminal justice system to help apprehend and charge offenders and hold them accountable for their actions.”

For more information, including safety tips and a link to download the ELERTs app, visit Protective Services (intranet).