Recognizing that all hospitals could be susceptible to an incident such as the one that took Laura Levis’ life, MHA assembled an ED Access Working Group composed of ED chiefs, chief nursing officers, and facilities experts, among others. The goal was to create best practice recommendations to ensure optimal access to all Massachusetts EDs. The group focused on external wayfinding, including signage and lighting as well as security, staff education, coordination with local safety officials, and local 911 systems.
Cambridge Health Alliance, which undertook a sweeping review of its system and implemented changes, was instrumental in helping create the MHA guidance. MHA last Friday sent
these recommendations to its membership, and will share them with the Department of Public Health and select legislators.