San Francisco Department of Public Health Announces Independent Security Review Following Tragic Incident at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

San Francisco, CA — The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced a decisive and comprehensive security initiative to further strengthen safety at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and across all DPH clinical locations.

In addition to DPH’s ongoing internal investigation and root cause analysis of the incident, DPH will be retaining an independent, outside security firm to conduct an independent assessment of the critical incident that resulted in the death of UCSF/ZSFG social worker, as well as a thorough, DPH-wide review of security protocols, infrastructure, and safety management.

Key elements of this independent security review include:

• A full assessment of current security measures and infrastructure at ZSFG, as well as DPH clinics and other environments.
• Evaluation of staffing, physical layouts, visitor management protocols, and patient processes for high-risk individuals.
• Systemwide recommendations and a strategic roadmap to ensure consistent, effective, and durable safety standards across every DPH facility.

In parallel, DPH and ZSFG have initiated a comprehensive top-to-bottom investigation and root-cause analysis of the incident to identify vulnerabilities and implement rapid improvements. Most immediately:

• Expediting installation of a weapons detection system for Buildings 80/90 at ZSFG
• Restricting access to Buildings 80/90 to one entrance
• Increasing security presence and Sheriff deputy presence at Buildings 80/90
• Implementing security wanding at Buildings 80/90 while the weapons detection system is being installed
• Strengthen/adjust security protocols for entrance to clinical buildings when a patient is identified as a high-risk threat to staff safety
• Engage with the Sheriff to review and enhance intervention protocols during safety incidents

The incident has been reported to the California Department of Public Health and CAL OSHA, and DPH continues to cooperate fully with all regulatory and investigative bodies.

“This tragic loss requires decisive and immediate action. Alongside our internal investigation and review, and required reporting to state agencies, the external independent assessment will provide an unbiased and detailed understanding of where improvements are needed and how we can implement them quickly and effectively,” said Public Health Director Daniel Tsai.

“At ZSFG, our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and everyone who walks through our doors. We work every day to provide a secure, welcoming and healing environment. On behalf of everyone at ZSFG, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of our beloved colleague Alberto Rangel. This should never have happened, and we will continue to make immediate and longer-term safety improvements to ensure this never happens again. I welcome this independent review and look forward to implementing any recommendations that will make our campus stronger and more secure,” said Dr. Susan Ehrlich, CEO, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

"Our teams come to ZSFG and our clinical partner sites every day to care for patients and to serve our community, and we are committed to working with the Department of Public Health to provide environments where our patients, care professionals, and physicians are safe, supported, and respected,” said Dr. Jeff Critchfield, Vice-Dean for the UCSF School of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. “This independent review is an important opportunity to make meaningful improvements that will strengthen safety and trust for everyone who walks through our doors."

DPH will continue to update staff and the public as the firm is selected, recommendations are implemented, and new safety measures are deployed. The Department has made support resources available to all staff and reaffirms that the safety and security of our community remain our highest priority.