Employee variables influencing ‘Run Hide Fight’ policy knowledge retention and perceptions of preparedness in the hospital setting

Education, preparation, and moral obligation: An examination of hospital employee role in active shooter training response

“…Overall, it appears that all employee roles are relatively educated about where to find an active shooter policy, and less educated as to what to do in an active shooter/armed intruder situation. However, some employee roles, specifically administration, are more informed about where the policy is located and less informed about the information contained therein, a theme consistent with prior research (Darais & Wood, 2019). Furthermore, while the majority of all types of employees could correctly identify where the policy was located (the policy is housed on the Health System Intranet, couched among over 1,000 other policies), it is unknown whether employees could actually locate and/or isolate the specific policy.…”

“…Furthermore, while the majority of all types of employees could correctly identify where the policy was located (the policy is housed on the Health System Intranet, couched among over 1,000 other policies), it is unknown whether employees could actually locate and/or isolate the specific policy. The inability of approximately half of employees to accurately identify the correct response to an active shooter situation has been described in violence and hospital literature as "troubling" (Darais & Wood, 2019). While it is unknown why clinical employees better understand the "Run Hide Fight" procedure, it has been hypothesized that clinical staff might recognize they are at an increased risk of violent victimization due to direct patient contact, as opposed to employees who may be largely working in offices (administration), or completing other responsibilities outside the patient sphere (Kelen et al, 2012;Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2016).…”

“…Previous research has indicated that hospital employee role explains differences in "Run Hide Fight" policy knowledge retention and perceptions of active shooter training (Darais & Wood, 2019). While a few studies have investigated differences between clinical and non-clinical staff, little is known about the feelings of hospital administration related to "Run Hide Fight" policy education, preparedness, or acuity of moral obligation to patients.…”

“…Another study determined that hospital employees feel more prepared for an active shooter situation after receiving active shooter education (Sanchez et al, 2018). Additional research has indicated that specific variables, such as hospital employee role, level of employee education, and work schedule, can influence "Run Hide Fight" knowledge and perceptions of adequate training (Darais & Wood, 2019).…”

“…While research has been conducted regarding perceptions of moral obligation to remain with patients during active shooter events (Jacobs & Burns, 2017), feelings of preparedness following active shooter training (Sanchez et al, 2018), and employee understanding of the "Run Hide Fight" curriculum (Sanchez et al, 2018;Darais & Wood, 2019), none of these studies has specifically looked at differences in response based on employee position.…”