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Hospital security: Why access control should be at the centre of your strategy

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Head of Marketing Communications, Vanderbilt

July 19, 2019

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When we think about ourselves or a loved one becoming injured or ill and needing professional care, we’d like to envision a hospital or healthcare facility as a place that is welcoming, comforting and safe.

In times that we’re most vulnerable, we should be able to feel confident that the room we’re in is located within a secure and organized environment.

But the reality is that hospitals face a variety of challenges when it comes to streamlining security and mitigating risks, just as other types of large, complex campuses do. With so much ground to cover and people constantly entering and exiting the building, directors of security at hospitals tend to grapple with various concerns, such as:

  • Visitor management. At the core of any hospital is the goal of creating an open environment that encourages healing and patient support. But this often means hundreds of ingress/egress points, varying levels of access and the possible exposure of patient data.
  • The aforementioned personal data that hospitals obtain on a daily basis is unfortunately subject to breaches and cyber attacks, especially as the connected network continues to grow and become more complex. These facilities must also adhere to specific privacy laws and regulations, adding another layer to the mix of requirements.
  • Variance. There are often many tasks and processes being performed in a hospital at one time; from controlling contagious diseases to restricting sensitive areas to rushing critical patients around, there’s no doubt that the element of uncertainty can lead to chaos.

Access control requirements

To manage the risks that hospitals face and ensure a comprehensively protected atmosphere for patients and staff, security directors must look to implementing integrated and innovative security solutions. And one of the most important components of any system that’s deployed is access control technology.

Utilizing an access control solution enables hospital security officials to break down the facility’s overwhelming size into controllable, role-based zones that come together within one common platform. Access control encompasses not only main entrance doors, but also internal entrances and exits based on location and access level — meaning all methods for going in, out or throughout the facility can be actively monitored.

Most importantly, hospitals demand a security system that can withstand the large volumes of traffic generated each day without disrupting critical functions. A traditional key-based system will struggle to keep up with this level of activity, but taking advantage of a more advanced solution that adds functionality and scalability can provide numerous benefits that bring hospital protection to the next level, including:

Lockdown Functionality. In the event of an attempted unauthorized entry or emergency incident, it is paramount for hospital security officials to be able to control access quickly and efficiently. Access control systems allow these organizations to ensure security with the push of a button, as well as remotely and instantly obtain real-time monitoring, user management and administration.

Flexibility. With the many moving parts hospitals must manage, scalability and flexibility are key to maintaining a secure facility. An access control solution can help security officials constantly adjust access rights based on numerous characteristics, such as areas of practice and likely working hours. Former employees can also immediately be removed from the system, eliminating the possibility of a threat.

Restriction. Different hallways, rooms, floors and waiting areas within a hospital require various amounts of restriction, and an access control system can make this process easy. Sensitive materials, such as narcotics or sterile environments, can be given added protection, and medical files or controlled substances can be protected with electronic access-controlled cabinet locks to create an audit trail in the case of a breach.

Convergence. While access control is a crucial centerpiece of a hospital’s security system, the ability to integrate additional components and products can create the strongest solution that facilitates complete protection. Incorporating video surveillance, for example, increases situational awareness and allows security administrators to evaluate a situation before it may become a threat, such as a door being forced open.

Balancing environment with safety

As hospitals aim to balance contending with security challenges and establishing a place that provides a comfortable recovery and visitation options, adopting an integrated access control solution must be top-of-mind. In achieving this goal, security solutions must allow officials to easily manage public areas and permit access to restricted areas while preventing unauthorized access.

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