How To Protect Emergency Rooms with Hospital Security

July 11th, 2022

Did you know that approximately 89 percent of hospitals reported at least one incident of workplace violence over a 12-month period? Hospitals are supposed to be a safe place for both patients and employees because they are a place of well-being and health.

To prevent these violent incidents from happening, it is important that the hospital takes proactive measures to secure their facilities and protect everyone inside.

The following are a few things that can be done to protect Youngstown emergency rooms and improving hospital security.

Surveillance Cameras

One of the best ways to improve hospital security for the emergency room and other areas is to increase visibility. To do this, surveillance cameras should be used around the hospital.

When you utilize multiple cameras in addition to a central monitoring system, you will find that you can easily and remotely monitor several areas of the hospital at the same time. You can also achieve different views and angles and watch the footage from any mobile device.

Surveillance cameras should be installed in vulnerable and sensitive areas of the hospital including all emergency room entrances and exits, the critical medical records area, the elevators and fire escapes, all the entrances to restricted areas, equipment and medicine storage closets, and all hallways.

You should also keep in mind that there are areas that you need to refrain from installing security cameras because of legal considerations and liabilities within a healthcare facility.

Alarms and Detectors

Emergency rooms see an onset of people daily that are coming and going. Often, they can be the most chaotic place in the hospital because people are there for urgent care. Having a monitored alarm system and different detectors in place can help with any safety risks while protecting against electrical damage, unauthorized access, and even environmental hazards.

Some of the monitors and detectors to consider installing include smoke, carbon monoxide, and flood detectors to help protect against environmental hazards. Intrusion alarms are good for around the clock monitoring. Finally, motion sensors and panic buttons are also effective for restricting access and calling for help.

Access Control System

With the right access control system, you can limit access to specific, authorized individuals. Some access control products commonly used include biometric readers, intercom systems, key access cards, photo identification cards, and swipe readers.

These all can restrict or authorize access to certain areas around the hospital and is a good safeguard when it comes to who has access to restricted areas like where medical equipment or medicine is being stored.

You will also have a log of who entered and left these areas and when which comes in useful if something happens or items go missing.

An access control system is also beneficial for visitor management in the emergency room and other areas of the hospital as well.

To discuss these security features for the hospital and other ways you can effectively protect the emergency room and other sensitive areas in the hospital, contact a security company in Youngstown, OH for more information.