Forensic Guide Law Enforcement

It is the policy of University of Michigan Health-Sparrow that forensic patients are forensically restrained, be always accompanied and monitored by law enforcement personnel.

Before entering a patient room, please:

  • Check with the patient’s nurse for infection control requirements (e.g., gloves, mask).

When discussing a patient condition:

  • Remove yourself from main traffic areas to maintain patient confidentiality.
  • Limit your conversations to professional personnel involved in the patient’s care.

If you have a question or an unusual event occurs:

  • Please communicate with the patient’s nurse or department Supervisor(s)
  • Refer to Emergency Numbers in this pamphlet.

For Forensic Staff (Law Enforcement Personnel):

  • Please remain in the patient’s room unless medically contraindicated.
  • Please communicate with the patient’s nurse to determine if there are any medical contraindications for forensic restraints (e.g., handcuffs, shackles). Refer to UM Health-Sparrow policy Public Safety “Patients in Law Enforcement Custody” for further information.

Cellular Phones:

  • Only permitted for emergency / business purposes. If you must use a cell phone, do not use within five feet of medical equipment.

Equipment:

  • On-duty law enforcement personnel are permitted to possess the equipment necessary to carry out their assignment on our premises.

Emergency Codes:

  • The following is a list of emergency code announcements and what they indicate.  If you hear any of the above announcements, we ask that, as always, you stay with your assigned patient.  Nursing and/or supervisory staff will provide you with specific directions for these codes and any other emergency situations or internal conditions which may occur.  You should become familiar with the nearest exit/stairwell from the patient’s unit to be used if an evacuation should become necessary.

Emergency Codes: UM Health-Sparrow

Code

Phone#

Code Blue (Cardiac Arrest)

   123

Code Pink (Infant Abduction)

123

Code Red (Fire)

123

Code Yellow (Bomb)

123

Code Silver (Active Shooter)

123

Code Orange (HazMat Situation)

123

Public Safety Emergency: 6-4911

Patient Care Personnel:

  • Please familiarize yourself with the names of the personnel caring for the patient you are with. They are your first resource for any questions you may have. An administrator, department manager, nursing supervisor or campus coordinator are available for questions or assistance.

Patient Condition Changes:

  • If you feel the patient’s condition has changed, please notify the nurse caring for the patient or the charge nurse.

Public Safety:

  • For security issues or questions, contact UM Health-Sparrow Public Safety at 517-364-2000. (4-2000 for internal phone).
  • A Hospital Employee cannot, under any circumstances, assume the responsibility for guarding a forensic patient.

Smoking:

  • Is not permitted on any UM Health-Sparrow property.  Forensic officers may not leave the unit, nor remove the patient from the unit to smoke.

Standard Precaution (Infection Control):

  • All human blood and body fluids are considered potentially infectious. Surfaces/equipment contaminated with body fluids are also considered potentially infectious. The nursing staff can provide you with specific information regarding keeping safe from exposure with your specific patient.

Visitors:

  • Are not permitted for forensic patients at UMH-Sparrow.  Any exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the law enforcement agency department head.

Patient Discharge:

  • Forensic patient discharge MUST be coordinated with UM Health-Sparrow Public Safety and clinical personnel. Please call 517-364-2000 or 4-2000 from an internal phone, before discharging any forensic patient.

Food Service:

  • Gathering Place hours: 5:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.
  • Starbucks hours:  6 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.