San Francisco, California – Following a challenging move of the inpatient psych unit to California Pacific Medical Center Davies campus near the Duboce Triangle in San Francisco, Sutter has faced concerns regarding the safety and security of the facility. With an investment of nearly $40 million to enhance safety measures, including the installation of cameras, panic buttons, duress alarms, and secured doors, Sutter aimed to create a secure environment for both patients and staff. However, hospital staff, including psychiatry resident Eric Kalis, have raised issues about the placement and accessibility of security officers within the new facility, highlighting potential gaps in response times and overall security protocols.
Despite initial challenges in staffing the inpatient psych unit with a dedicated security officer, Sutter has since made efforts to ensure consistent staffing, extending security coverage hours starting at 9 a.m. The concerns over security are particularly poignant for residents like Golomb, who experienced a violent assault at the hospital, resulting in physical and emotional repercussions. The fallout from the assault left Golomb with various health issues, including vision, hearing, and balance problems, prompting a series of brain scans revealing further complications.
In response to incidents of violence in healthcare settings, California lawmakers have introduced laws aimed at addressing workplace violence, including requirements for violence prevention plans in hospitals and the reporting of violent incidents to the state. Additionally, efforts to expand involuntary holds for individuals with mental health issues have sparked debates and controversy surrounding civil rights and patient care. The passage of SB 43, for instance, has extended conservatorship laws to cover substance use disorders, leading to concerns from both disability rights groups and hospital officials about the implications and challenges in treating affected individuals.
The assault experience had a profound impact on Golomb, straining her relationship with supervisors and leading to a period of leave from work due to physical and emotional distress. Despite facing uncertainty about her position upon return, Golomb pursued various therapies to recover and eventually resumed work, utilizing art and labor organizing as coping mechanisms. Her journey back to work was marked by challenges and the need to rebuild her reputation, ultimately driving her to advocate for the unionization of residents at California Pacific Medical Center.
Overall, the incident at Sutter highlights broader issues of workplace violence in healthcare settings and the complex considerations surrounding mental health treatment and patient care. As efforts continue to address these challenges through legislative changes and safety measures, individuals like Golomb navigate the aftermath of traumatic incidents while striving to advocate for improved support and security in healthcare environments.