Tuscaloosa’s DCH Reviewing All Security Measures at All 3 Hospitals After Nurse’s Murder

Tuscaloosa's DCH Health System committed Thursday to a complete review of its security protocols after one of its nurses was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in one of its parking lots earlier this week.

The shocking killing of Ada Doss has stunned the community - the nurse and young mother was walking to her car in a parking lot situated away from the hospital building when she was approached by an armed man who demanded her purse.

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Police say the suspect, 41-year-old Mathew James Taylor, was experiencing a mental health crisis and had been dropped off at the hospital to seek help, but never went inside and instead loitered in the parking area. After several hours, her reportedly tried to rob one woman who eluded him before targeting Doss, 27.

Investigators say she was targeted at random and fatally shot before she could get into her car and escape.

In the aftermath, many community members have expressed concerns about security measures in and around the hospital.

In a Thursday afternoon update, DCH leadership issued a statement saying they will strengthen security not only at the Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, but also at their hospitals in Northport and Fayette.

Some of those improvements will include having uniformed but off-duty police officers present overnight, ramping up security during shift changes, retraining their professional security force, and offering escorts for vehicles in faraway parking lots.

"Many of these changes have come through leadership’s seeking suggestions from caregivers, and we appreciate their sharing their concerns and ideas with us," a hospital spokesperson said in a press release. "Like many of our improvements over the last several years, we need to establish incremental, sustainable changes to our environment. DCH is conducting a comprehensive review of all security measures, both inside the hospital and on
our campus grounds."

They said their existing employee shuttle will run additional hours, and the DCH van will also be used to augment it.

"In addition to these immediate steps, DCH will continue evaluating the next level of security solutions and identify national best practices implemented at healthcare organizations across the country," they said.

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