Management of hospital security in general hospitals of Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

The management of security varies in different organizations including hospitals, and security is one of the major support services needed for ensuring a safe environment of care. This study determined the management of security in general hospitals in Southwestern Uganda. A descriptive-cross-sectional study, which employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, was carried out. Common security concerns were theft, assaults, workplace violence and elopement with generally low chances of security concerns happening and poor preparedness to handle them in case they occurred. Only two out of six hospitals fairly met the security standards with identified gaps like lack of security guidelines, security plans, security committees, and non-availability of training opportunities for security personnel. Hospital managers and other policy makers involved in the management of hospital security should work together and address the security gaps existing in general hospitals in order to improve on the management of security.