Active Shooter Planning and Response in a Healthcare Setting
Active shooter events in a healthcare setting present unique
challenges: a potentially large vulnerable patient population,
hazardous materials (including infectious disease), locked units,
special challenges (such as weapons and Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) machines (these machines contain large magnets
which can cause issues with firearms, or remove it from the hands
of law enforcement), as well as caregivers who can respond to
treat victims.
There is no single method to respond to an incident, but prior
planning will allow you and your staff to choose the best option
during an active shooter situation, with the goal of maximizing
lives saved. For hospitals and healthcare care systems, the HSCC
has provided the updated guidance document “Active Shooter
Planning and Response in a Healthcare Setting.”
