UAPD continues to push for safety enhancements at all of the Department of State Hospital (DSH) facilities. Patton State Hospital recently launched a comprehensive personal alarm system similar to the one installed at Napa State Hospital in 2012. In addition, a UAPD-backed bill to require the hospitals to create enhanced treatment units with higher security for the most violent patients is currently being considered by the State legislature. Safety is a key concern of UAPD members at DSH. The latest issue of “Governing” notes that state workers in nursing and health care facilities have the highest workers compensation injury rates in America — 13.1 injuries per 100 employees per year. That is higher than police officers or fire fighters.
