Erlanger hospital has enlisted an outside company to handle its security hiring and management, a move hospital officials say is unrelated to the November death of a patient who was shocked with a Taser by a hospital security officer.
“An assessment of Erlanger’s security operation was under way months before the Taser incident,” said Charlesetta Woodard-Thompson, Erlanger chief operating officer.
She declined a request for an interview but responded to questions through e-mail.
A police investigation into the Taser incident involving patient Edward Buckner, who died Nov. 27, 2009, found the security officer had no criminal intent.
The Hamilton County medical examiner’s autopsy report concluded that the death was caused by a blood clot and was unrelated to the use of a Taser.
The change in Erlanger’s security force was prompted by a number of vacancies last year, Ms. Woodard-Thompson said.
“These vacancies, combined with the difficulties in recruiting new officers, led to the decision to contract with an outside agency,” she said.
In April, the hospital entered into an interim management contract with Chattanooga-based Walden Security at a cost of $10,000 a month. The hospital hopes to identify a permanent security management company by the end of the year, according to Ms. Woodard-Thompson.
She said the hospital signed a professional services contract, which doesn’t require competitive bids.
Before Walden took over, Erlanger handled all recruiting, hiring and management of the hospital’s security force, Ms. Woodard-Thompson said.
“Companies like the locally based Walden Security, which is the 15th largest in the United States, have a much broader labor pool and the expertise to direct a security operation – leaving Erlanger to focus on its mission of improving the health status of this region,” she said.
Mr. Buckner was being discharged from Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute when he started fighting and the security officer used a Taser on him, according to newspaper archives.
A Times Free Press inquiry found that the officer and another hired by Erlanger previously had been fired from another law enforcement agency.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has turned over its investigation into Mr. Buckner’s death to the Hamilton County district attorney’s office, which is reviewing the case, said TBI Special Agent in Charge Jerry Powell.
Erlanger board Chairman Dan Quarles declined to comment on whether the Taser incident raised concerns among board members about security hiring and management.
Hospital trustees did not have to approve Walden Security interim contract because it fell below a $100,000 threshold. However, the permanent contract will have to be approved by the board.