Hanover Hospital Safety & Security Director is President of International Security & Safety Organization

July 13, 2009 -
Joseph Bellino, CHPA, HEM, Hanover Hospital’s Director of Safety & Security, is the newly elected President of the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS).   The IAHSS is a not-for-profit professional organization of healthcare security and safety executives around the world, the largest association of its kind. 

The IAHSS strives to improve and professionalize security and safety in healthcare facilities through the exchange of information and experiences among healthcare security and safety executives.  It promotes cooperation among the members and provides current information through educational programs and publications designed to meet the challenges and complexities of protecting a modern healthcare facility.

One of the IAHSS goals has been to develop relationships with government entities such as Homeland Security and Health & Human Services. According to Bellino, much has been accomplished in that area, which will ultimately benefit Hanover Hospital and healthcare organizations nationwide.  At a federal level, the IAHSS is developing standards for Voluntary Homeland Security emergency management preparedness accreditation, and developing security guidelines for hospitals.

Hanover Hospital was recently awarded re-certification for Program of Distinction,

Level 1 Accreditation by the IAHSS.  In 2007, Hanover was the first hospital in the nation to be awarded the Accreditation. Initiated in June 2006, the Program of Distinction recognizes healthcare security and safety departments within healthcare facilities that have achieved and maintained a minimum staffing level of 80 percent of IAHSS certified security personnel, and led by a Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator.