In 2012 there were over 80 incidents involving armed violent intruders in the United States. This translates to an incident occurring less than every 5 days. MDI defines an “armed violent intruder” as a person on hospital property with the means (weapon), opportunity (patients, visitors, physicians and staff) and apparent intent (thought process) to inflict serious physical injury or death to others.
MDI classifies these incidents as "low propensity, high consequence." Once an armed violent intruder fires the first shot, the “Stopwatch of Death” begins ... and the consequences shock the conscious.
The armed violent intruder at Virginia Tech University murdered 32 people and wounded 25 others within 7 minutes ...
The armed violent intruder at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado murdered 12 people and wounded 58 others within 5 minutes ...
The armed violent intruder at Sandy Hook Elementary School murdered 26 people and wounded 2 others within minutes ...
Collectively these incidents equate to a murder attempt every 6-10 seconds ...
It is not likely that armed violent intruder incidents will stop in the near future. However, through the implementation of an effective policy, comprehensive training and the utilization of scenario-based drills, a hospital and it’s staff can minimize the overall effects of such incidents.
MDI has presented their lifesaving Armed Violent Intruder Response (A.V.I.R.) training curriculum to 1,000's of healthcare professionals across the United States. As a result of the overwhelmingly positive response to the dynamic lecture and breakout sessions, MDI has created an Online Training Series.
The A.V.I.R. online training segment has been specifically customized for healthcare professionals and exceeds regulations set forth by CMS, The Joint Commission and OSHA. It contains the core elements of MDI's principally-based doctrine that was created to empower healthcare professionals through a series of reactive, principally-based action steps. Designed to be utilized as a quick response guide, it assists with proper decision making during the threat of an armed violent intruder.
Dynamic, lifesaving, proactive action steps, such as MDI's Out Principles, are discussed and demonstrated in detail. The various principles and strategies relating to restricting access and limiting the mobility of an armed violent intruder are also illustrated. This online training segment reveals various techniques that will enhance healthcare professionals’ existing skill set and further empower them to identify and recognize various danger cues in order to properly react.
Team MDI continues to employ extensive, real world, problem solving experience to create cutting edge training doctrine customized for the healthcare industry. The collective goal is to assist organizations in providing a safe environment for all patients, visitors, physicians and staff so they may continue to prosper in their endeavor to save lives.