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

Use a Licensed Security Consultant to Prepare your Systems and Policies for Maximum 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 episode.

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 as well as family members are on the front line against this burgeoning threat. Violent incidents are not only growing in frequency but also in intensity as more people take new types of dangerous drugs and have troubling circumstances. Although, reports show that alcohol misuse is more to blame than any other factors.

Optimise your Security Systems by using a Licensed Security Consultant

Security requirements for hospitals can be complex as there are many assets and spaces that are simultaneously accessible to both staff, patients, and members of the public and in this environment nefarious individuals and unruly troublemakers can often mingle without being noticed.

On the technology front, there are also many disparate systems and moving parts such as access control, video surveillance, duress alarms and physical locking systems that need to be integrated and maintained to very high standards. The design of these systems require specialist knowledge to specify and configure so they are effective, reliable and redundant. This ensures maximum uptime and increases safety of staff and patients.

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 ID management, CCTV surveillance, physical access control and barriers as well as duress alarms and electronic key cabinets. This technology should focus on but not be limited to the following key 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
• Vehicle Access

All the above 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

security consultants

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

Assessing the risks is a dynamic process that involves ongoing evaluation of threats, assets, and vulnerabilities. Reducing the risk to hospitals is accomplished by lowing the threat level, addressing vulnerabilities through enhanced security, or reducing the consequences if a security event should occur.

Without question, the best strategy for mitigating risk is a combination of all three elements, decreasing threats, blocking opportunities and reducing consequences. Unfortunately no hospital is without some level of risk.

Security and safety is a carefully coordinated process designed to allow an open, functional environment but with robust security measures that protect staff and patients.

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