Security

How Important is Hospital Security?

When you enter a hospital or a healthcare facility, security concerns should be the least of your concerns. Hospital securities policies have become much more common and stricter to keep the employees, staff members and everyone who enters the hospital safe. When you’re a patient in the hospital, you’re in a vulnerable situation and relying heavily on your medical facility and caretakers. Someone stealing your things or an unauthorised individual entering your room without your permission should be the last thing on your mind. These are just a few of the reasons why medical facility security has become so vital. As an employee or a patient, you will feel safer in a hospital with top-notch security.

Because a large number of people must visit these locations, whether they are patients, staff, visitors, students, or other service providers, it is critical that all hospital facilities have comprehensive security standards in place to protect these people, their belongings, and their physical infrastructure.

Shergroup has grown from strength to strength over the decade and has been offering world-class security solutions to its clients across the UK and US. We believe the front-line workers; the healthcare professionals deserve the greatest level of protection as they serve the communities. We offer medical facility with security guards, CCTV monitoring, or access control into your hospital. Here are some of the uses of these security services and how they can keep your medical center safe from unpredictable threats.

Why Do Hospitals Need Security?

In terms of security, most hospitals are considered “soft targets.” Soft targets are high-density venues such as shopping malls, schools, and sports arenas, as well as populated institutions and areas. These soft targets typically have a large number of access points as well as a lack of security staff or rules. As a result, they may be more vulnerable to certain security threats.

Many people come and depart at various hours of the day in large hospitals. In a hospital setting, threats of violence, theft, and other crimes are genuine dangers, and patients are at their most vulnerable when they are sick and admitted. Hospitals can be easy targets for theft of medical equipment or personal possessions of patients and staff members if security measures are not in place. Other interruptions, such as unwelcome guests or visitors who are inebriated, might put patients under unnecessary stress. Hospitals must also safeguard a vast amount of personal information, which should be safeguarded by a security plan.

How Hospital Security Reduces Risk

Security personnel in the healthcare industry are entrusted with “hardening up” soft targets in hospitals. A risk assessment is the first step in developing a complete hospital security plan. In a physical examination of the facilities, security personnel look for more vulnerable sections of the hospital, such as lobbies, entryways, and other access points. They may also investigate other problems, such as all employees’ background checks or logistical issues with pricey equipment that was lost or stolen after delivery.

Following the completion of a risk assessment, hospital security measures are established to improve the overall safety of the institution and everyone who uses it. The following items are frequently found in hospital security:

Security guards |

Security guards at the hospital are dedicated to keeping patients, staff, and visitors safe and secure. Security guards perform a variety of tasks to keep the hospital safe, including monitoring hospital visitors, providing security for parking lots, and other high-traffic locations.

Experienced, licenced, and trained security guards maintain a physical presence at the hospital throughout the day, managing entry points and keeping an eye on persons entering and exiting. Security guards act as a significant and visible deterrent to possible criminal activity. Security guards are also able to respond promptly to disturbances and other concerns that arise in the building. Basic Life Support (BLS)-trained security guards will give an extra layer of protection.

Security guards are the most common type of security, but they are also the most effective. Having a pair of eyes dedicated to watching who enters and exits your facility will make a significant difference in the amount of crime or suspicious activity detected. The presence of security guards in your facility will deter the majority of people from engaging in illegal activity.

CCTV/Alarm Monitoring |

Within the hospital, a security camera system with CCTV monitoring functions as a crime-prevention strategy. It’s also a great instrument for gathering evidence of criminal conduct so that the perpetrators can be prosecuted effectively. Because of the size of some healthcare institutions, it is critical that a security team can respond to remote alarms at unmanned areas.

A security camera system serves as a backup for any activity that may elude your physical security measures. CCTV monitoring allows you to keep track of what’s going on both inside and outside your facility.

This will assist in actually catching and having proof of criminal activity if something were to happen on your property. This will protect your patients and staff from possible criminal activity that may go unnoticed.

Access Control |

When it comes to risk mitigation, restricting access to sensitive places is critical. Technological solutions aid in the segregation of regions, allowing only those who have received previous authorization to enter. Access to employees, vendors, and visitors can be removed at any time, ensuring that potential dangers are not fulfilled.

You simply have more control over who is allowed to enter and depart your hospital rooms with access control. This will protect patients, employees, and their assets from unwanted visitors. This also gives you more control over your patients’ treatment by allowing you to dictate when they can rest comfortably. Access control is merely one more step in ensuring the safety of both personnel and patients in the hospital.

Background checks |

To deliver high levels of care and safety, it is critical that all hospital personnel meet stringent criteria. Background checks created specifically for the healthcare business add an added layer of protection. Criminal checks, identity verification, sex offender status checks, verification of previous employment, verification of education background, and drug tests should all be included in background checks for healthcare staff.

Logistics security |

It’s not always only the personnel, patients, and visitors who require protection and surveillance. A variety of deliveries and the storing of vital and expensive products keep hospitals busy. Healthcare security measures should also address the facility’ logistical elements. Security can keep a watch on the flow of traffic in the delivery and parking areas, looking for any suspicious behaviour.

COVID Solutions |

COVID-19 countermeasures are critical given the enormous volume of “at risk” people passing through healthcare institutions. By deploying thermal temperature detection systems, policy implementations, and the issuing and enforcement of personal protective equipment, security services may help limit the hazard to a minimum.

Summing-up

Having adequate security at a hospital can provide protection and peace of mind to all patients who are treated there. Hospital security obligations also include safeguarding doctors, nurses, and other employees who deserve a safe working environment. The value of security in hospitals is obvious, and the advantages of adequate security are numerous.

With over fifteen years of experience in the security industry Shergroup has developed an expertise to handle any security concerns. At Shergroup we first do a risk assessment for your property and then as per the assessment report we suggest security measures to keep your property protected.

Our professionals work to ensure that you have the best security standards and policies while maintaining the security programme. We can safeguard your institution, as well as your patients, employees, visitors, and the general public.

We assign security staff to areas depending on their qualifications and physical abilities. Their training and expertise enable them to recognise and defuse situations before they escalate, ensuring that no further escalation occurs. Our management team is made up of experienced former law enforcement and military professionals who are capable of handling challenging and stressful situations, which is critical for our clients’ peace of mind.

FAQs: Hospital and Healthcare Facility Security

Understanding Healthcare Security Needs

Q: Why do hospitals need security?

A: Hospitals are considered “soft targets” with multiple access points, high foot traffic at all hours, and limited security resources. They face genuine threats including violence, theft of medical equipment and personal belongings, unauthorized access to patient rooms, and protection of sensitive personal information. Patients are particularly vulnerable when sick and admitted.

Q: What makes hospitals “soft targets” for security threats?

A: Soft targets are high-density venues like hospitals, shopping malls, and schools that have numerous access points and often lack sufficient security staff or protocols. This makes them more vulnerable to theft, violence, and other security incidents compared to “hardened” facilities with restricted access.

Q: What specific threats do healthcare facilities face?

A: Healthcare facilities face threats including violence against staff and patients, theft of expensive medical equipment, theft of personal possessions, unauthorized visitors, intoxicated or disruptive guests, data breaches of personal health information, and logistical security issues with deliveries and valuable supplies.

Security Personnel and Guards

Q: What role do security guards play in hospitals?

A: Security guards maintain physical presence throughout the day, monitor hospital visitors, manage entry points, provide security for parking lots and high-traffic areas, act as visible deterrents to criminal activity, and respond promptly to disturbances. They keep patients, staff, and visitors safe and secure.

Q: Why are security guards considered the most effective security measure?

A: Having dedicated personnel watching who enters and exits makes a significant difference in detecting crime or suspicious activity. The visible presence of security guards deters most people from engaging in illegal activity and allows for immediate response to incidents.

Q: What additional training should hospital security guards have?

A: Hospital security guards should be licensed, trained, and experienced. Basic Life Support (BLS) training provides an extra layer of protection given the healthcare environment. Guards should also be trained to recognize and defuse situations before they escalate.

Technology and Monitoring Systems

Q: How do CCTV systems help hospital security?

A: CCTV monitoring functions as crime prevention and evidence gathering for criminal prosecution. It serves as backup for activities that may elude physical security measures, allowing security teams to track what’s happening inside and outside the facility, especially in unmanned areas of large healthcare institutions.

Q: What is access control and why is it important in hospitals?

A: Access control uses technological solutions to restrict entry to sensitive areas, allowing only authorized personnel to enter. It can be removed at any time for employees, vendors, or visitors, protecting patients, staff, and assets from unwanted visitors while allowing control over patient rest periods.

Q: How does access control protect patients specifically?

A: Access control gives hospitals more control over who enters and leaves patient rooms, protecting patients from unwanted visitors and allowing staff to dictate when patients can rest comfortably without interruption.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Q: What is the first step in developing hospital security?

A: A comprehensive risk assessment is the first step. Security personnel conduct physical examinations of facilities to identify vulnerable areas like lobbies, entryways, and access points. They also investigate employee background checks and logistical issues with expensive equipment.

Q: How does security “harden” soft targets in hospitals?

A: Security personnel implement measures based on risk assessments including deploying guards at entry points, installing CCTV systems, establishing access control for sensitive areas, conducting background checks, monitoring logistics, and creating policies to address identified vulnerabilities.

Background Checks and Staffing

Q: What should healthcare background checks include?

A: Healthcare background checks should include criminal checks, identity verification, sex offender status checks, verification of previous employment, verification of educational background, and drug tests. These stringent criteria ensure high levels of care and safety.

Q: Why are background checks particularly important in healthcare settings?

A: Healthcare workers have access to vulnerable patients, controlled substances, and sensitive information. Comprehensive background checks add an extra layer of protection to ensure all hospital personnel meet the criteria necessary to deliver high-quality, safe care.

Specialized Security Concerns

Q: What is logistics security in hospitals?

A: Logistics security involves monitoring deliveries and storage of vital and expensive medical products. Security keeps watch on delivery and parking area traffic, looking for suspicious behavior related to the flow of supplies and equipment.

Q: How has COVID-19 impacted hospital security needs?

A: COVID-19 requires additional security measures including thermal temperature detection systems, policy implementations for health screening, and issuing and enforcing personal protective equipment requirements to minimize hazards for the large volume of at-risk people in healthcare facilities.

Shergroup Services

Q: What approach does Shergroup take to hospital security?

A: Shergroup conducts thorough risk assessments before suggesting security measures. With over fifteen years of experience, they provide security guards, CCTV monitoring, and access control tailored to each medical facility’s specific needs and assessment results.

Q: How does Shergroup assign security staff to healthcare facilities?

A: Shergroup assigns security staff based on their qualifications and physical abilities. Staff training and expertise enable them to recognize and defuse situations before escalation. The management team includes experienced former law enforcement and military professionals capable of handling challenging situations.