Over the last ten years, the demands placed on our healthcare system have led to greater strain on both physical and human resources. The result has led to greater vulnerabilities leading to theft, privacy violations and other potential hazards to patients, visitors, staff and property. Stolen patient records, theft of medical equipment, theft of newborn infants and harm to patients due to domestic disputes are just some of the many security threats healthcare centers face today. Birthing centers, pediatrics and pharmaceuticals are especially vulnerable.
Solutions might include the integration of access control, visitation standards, identification and information assurance, and patient privacy protections. Providing access control to various areas within and on the hospital grounds should include parking facilities, traffic control and access patterns for various groups. The physical design and layout of the health facility and property is an important factor. Uncontrolled access points for exit or entry into the facility should be managed with an integrated surveillance and access control support.
Access Control
Controlling who enters a hospital is important to prevent potential criminal activity or assault, however, in a healthcare facility it is equally important to control who might exit the hospital to prevent abduction and other criminal escape. Those committing acts of crime in hospitals will look for the nearest escape route through an unlocked emergency door. Creating control parameters to distinguish rules between visitors and hospital employees can help prevent criminal escape.
Video Surveillance
Hospitals should consider replacing obsolete black-and-white CCTV surveillance systems with digital surveillance and recording. Cameras should be installed in highly sensitive locations such as visitor entrances, parking lots, entrances and exits, as well as highly vulnerable locations such as birthing centers, ATM machines, loading and unloading gates, cashiers and pharmaceutical centers.
HIPAA safeguards must also be addressed in any security plan and physical security measures must be integrated with network security to ensure a comprehensive solution.
Safe Sight Security Solutions
Safe Sight will work with your IT and security teams to develop a comprehensive system in support of your overall security plan. Such a solution may include digital video surveillance, permission-based access control, time delay lock and alarm and panic buttons.
Protecting the integrity of our healthcare institutions is a significant goal if we are going to strengthen our community infrastructure.
A study by Erickson and Williams-Evans found that nurses are the frequent targets of assault and the greatest number of assaults (25%) occurred in emergency service facilities; of the 51 homicides recorded in 2000, 23% occurred in emergency departments.
Safe Sight has developed comprehensive security solutions built on the unique requirements of:
- Hospitals
- Birthing centers
- Medical labs
- Mental health centers
- Rehabilitation centers
- Hospice
- Pharmaceutical labs
- Dental centers
- Outpatient clinics