What is it about?
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, terrorists have shown the intent and capability to execute direct attacks on U.S. public hospitals. However, not much, if anything, has been done to address this threat, as hospitals appear more focused on creating plans for mass casualties caused by terrorist attacks outside of the hospital.
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Why is it important?
Analyzing and managing the threat of direct terrorist attacks is just another part of risk management. While administrators will not likely eliminate the threat completely, failing to implement reasonable security measures to specifically address the threat leaves hospitals vulnerable to severe loss.
Perspectives
Successful attacks on hospitals overseas have already occurred. Leaders of foreign terrorist groups continue to call on their adherents to carry out attacks against the general population in the U.S. and elsewhere in the West. U.S. public hospitals are clearly soft targets, as they are typically filled with sick or disabled people who are very difficult to evacuate in crisis situations. The purpose of the article is to present the threat, offer some examples of what others are doing to harden their facilities, and recommend that administrators consult with security specialists experienced in counter-terrorism to help them create reasonable security plans that specifically address the threat.
David Finucane
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Unhealthy complacency: The vulnerability of US hospitals to direct terrorist attacks, Journal of Healthcare Risk Management, September 2017, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/jhrm.21282.
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