Preparing for a high-profile forensic patient: One hospital shares its story

On December 25, 2009, Umar Farouk ¬Abdulmutallab attempted to light explosives he smuggled under his pants on a Northwest Airlines jet approaching Detroit. He was able to start a fire and burn himself before fellow passengers and crew members subdued him.

The burns on Abdulmutallab’s legs led him to University of Michigan Health System’s (UMHS) burn unit. Director of Hospital and Security Services Marilyn Hollier, CPP, CHPA, and her security department knew they were responsible for ensuring that taking on ¬Abdulmutallab as a patient did not affect the safety or care of patients and employees at the hospital.