When a healthcare worker or patient walks into a hospital, their safety and security are the last things on their mind. But, headlines in the public healthcare sector this past year (fires and violence) show that officials should take hospitals’ safety and security seriously and rather be proactive than react when a tragedy occurs.
While health standards are in place for both private and public hospitals to operate in, it is up to each facility to identify and implement their own security measures to keep their patients, staff, and data safe.1 Many private facilities rely on specialised measures that cater to their individual security needs, which often differs to the healthcare services they offer and where they’re located. These measures include,
Building security
Hospital security measures to keep staff and patients safe should include,
- CCTV cameras.
- Off-site monitoring and off-site critical alarm.
- Effective on-site and off-site communication.
- Alarm systems.
- Access control to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive areas.
- Patrols by highly qualified and experienced security guards.
- Fire detection systems and safe evacuation procedures.
- Oxygen supply.
Infant security systems
Smart measures such as electronic monitoring and identification tag tracks to keep newborns and infants safe in paediatric and neonatal wards. Along with cameras to monitor the wards, parents will be assured of their children’s safety and security from the minute they’re born or admitted to the facility to when they’re discharged.
Logistics security
Security plans should also cover service providers, vendors, and equipment deliveries, medical suppliers, and catering. For security to be effective, it should monitor traffic flow, suspicious activity, deliveries, and parking areas.
Information security
Data breaches in healthcare aren’t unheard of. Protect employees’ and patients’ private information with effective data security systems. Invest in specialised security software to ensure that critical data is safe and backed up off-site or on the cloud, in case of fires or flooding. Security professionals, such as Servest, also use online intelligence for comprehensive security services that includes service level agreements and incident reporting.
Create reporting policies
Listen to hospital personnel when they talk about their security concerns and show them that their voices matter. Staff can easily identify weaknesses or flaws in security plans. When they know their voices have a positive impact, they will become security champions in ensuring your security is prioritised.
When healthcare workers know their safety and security is in good hands, they’ll be able to provide their patients with even better care. And on top of that, have peace of mind that on-site security will assist family members to the right wards where their loved ones are, rather than roaming the facilities’ corridors.
Get in touch with the security experts at Servest to get started on security options tailored for your facility. https://www.servest.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Servest-Security-Brochure_A4_FA2-1-1.pdf
