Threats and Violence to Hospital Staff are Escalating. Protect your Staff!

Using sound risk management with proven technology can dramatically improve hospital staff safety.

Hospital Security - A challenging Environment!

Hospitals can be a magnet for unruly people and thieves intent on stealing drugs or equipment from public or private areas. Violence or attacks against hospital staff (including doctors, nurses, and security personnel) is on the rise and many people have been seriously injured by out-of-control people who are drunk, on drugs or in the process of a mental health breakdown.

Unfortunately, the design and layout of hospitals, particularly the Emergency Department does not make for a safe environment and for that reason nurses, administration and security personnel are on the front line against this ugly threat. Violent incidents are not only growing in frequency but also in intensity as more people take new types of dangerous drugs. Although, reports show that alcohol misuse is more to blame than any other factors.

Security requirements for hospitals can be complex and often require some time to develop and need to be structured for adaptation to a to a constantly changing environment. There are so many spaces that are accessible to the public and this creates the risks of theft and violence, both inside and outside the hospital.

Most hospitals have policies and procedures in place to deal with unruly people but one of the keys to reducing the risks is to be able respond very quickly to an incident. There is also a wide array of technology that can assist security staff in identifying and responding to serious incidents more rapidly than via radio or verbal communication.

There is a wide range of security technology that needs to be deployed, such as CCTV surveillance cameras, physical access control systems and barriers. This technology should focus but not be limited to the following areas.

A full

hospital security audit

 will include the following areas.

• Building entrances and exits
• Emergency Department
• Elevators and stairwells
• Hallways and storage closets/rooms
• Rooms that store medical equipment or medications
• Doorways to restricted areas
• Nurseries

It is also vitally important to have a robust

access control system

 to restrict entry to, at least, the following places:

• Public entry points for after hours
• Fire stair doors between floors
• Rooms that house medical equipment & medicines
• Staff amenities and nurse's quarters
• Operating theatres
• Plant rooms
• Entry to emergency department areas
• Lifts (ESPECIALLY after hours)
• ICT & Server Rooms Nurseries

All the above aspects and other electronic systems can be integrated onto one platform so administration and response to incidents is simplified and there is a much greater situational awareness. We suggest using a

security consultant

 to provide advice on how to bring all this together into one integrated system.

Please feel free to call us on 1300 952 785 to discuss a comprehensive security audit of your security plan and how technology can reduce risks and better protect staff.