HOSPITAL VULNERABILITIES AND THE SECURITY FUNCTION ARE ANALYZED IN DEPTH, INCLUDING SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS, PREVENTIVE PROGRAMMING, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS. SUCH DIVERSE AREAS AS HIRING AND TRAINING, RECORDS AND REPORTS, PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERRENTS, DISASTER PLANNING, AND DRUGS AND PHARMACY CONTROLS ARE COVERED. THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IS INTENDED TO BRING TO TOP LEVEL MANAGEMENT A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF PROTECTION NEEDS, PROVIDE THE SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR WITH OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES AND PRACTICAL PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS, AND GIVE THE LINE OFFICER AND SUPERVISOR A BACKGROUND WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HEALTH CARE SECURITY SYSTEMS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITHIN THE OPERATIONAL PROGRAM. A SUBJECT INDEX IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)