ABSTRACT
A former surgical resident impersonated a physician and gained access to restricted areas to observe surgical procedures and participate in patient rounds at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 1 Cheryl Wang, who was previously dismissed from a residency program in New York City, wandered into operating rooms in official Brigham scrubs she was thought to have obtained from a previous visit. Although Brigham staff is required to scan their identification badges to enter operation rooms, Wang slipped into the surgical suites by walking in behind other employees who were holding the door open for each other. Following the security breach, the hospital says it has strengthened its policy for allowing observers into its operating rooms. Physicians now are required to verify that a doctor-in-training is in good standing with his or her educational institution. The hospital also plans to educate staff about the dangers of “tailgating,” or letting people follow staff into restricted areas without scanning an ID card. Electronic card access and surveillance cameras are considered security best practices, but hospital security experts are considering other safeguards, including turnstiles, security officers, and biometric systems.
