Pediatric Abduction Policy
Introduction
Date of Last Review 5/13/11
SME: Director of Admissions
Policy Purpose:
To clearly define the procedure to prevent the unauthorized removal of a pediatric client from the UT-Harris County Psychiatric Facility with the primary goal of locating and reuniting the child with his/her family as quickly as possible. To ensure that hospital personnel are notified quickly and discreetly.
Policy:
Appropriate HCPC personnel and outside agencies will be notified when a pediatric client is missing and/or removed by an unauthorized person. The client will receive all intervention required to ensure his/her safety.
Procedure:
The employees in the location where the abduction occurred should do the following when made aware of a suspected or actual abduction.
- Contact the operator FIRST and announce a “CODE PINK”.
- As the CODE PINK is announced, hospital security is notified simultaneously to secure exits and perimeters of the hospital. Hospital staff should give security as much information as possible about the child and the abductor if seen include as much of the following as possible: name, sex, race, age, hair color, clothes worn, height and weight, etc. of both the abducted child and the abductor if seen.
- When a hospital staff member suspects a pediatric client is missing, she/he will then notify the administrator or designee, nursing supervisor and attending. On the 3:00pm-11:00pm, 11:00pm-7:00am and weekend shifts, the hospital security and nursing supervisor will be immediately notified.
- Hospital security and unit staff will search the immediate area (including patient rooms, stairwells, etc.). A head count of all pediatric clients must be performed.
- Nursing Supervisor will call 911 if the pediatric client is not found.
- Visitors and employees attempting to enter/exit the hospital will be asked to cooperate until police arrive. Staff should pay close attention to all visitors carrying infants, luggage, gym bags, shopping bags, etc.
- When the event is ended by either the abductor/child being found or the police ascertain that they are no longer on the UT HCPC premises, the operator or nursing administrator (after hours) will announce that the Code Pink is “All Clear”. This will be announced on the overhead pager.
- In the event of a pediatric abduction the Nurse Manager/designee must fill out a Patient Care Variance form as soon as possible.
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