A hospital, or any healthcare facility for that matter, are unique in that they are usually privately owned or run facilities which, are, nevertheless, often open to the public and viewed as intrinsically public spaces. This dichotomy in itself presents security issues unique to many hospitals and healthcare facilities.
With regard to healthcare security, one cannot only think of hospitals. There are a wide array of healthcare facilities including emergency medical services, hospices, adult day care centers, community health centers and a variety of different clinics, ranging from walk-in clinics and specialist clinics to free clinics and abortion clinics. There have been various well-reported attacks on abortion clinics, but other healthcare facilities and hospitals have their own security risks. These can range from theft of drugs, which are often controlled substances and very dangerous if abused, from dispensaries, to theft and pilfering of hospital equipment and aids, many of which can often be very expensive to replace. Personal items belonging to patients and visitors may also be stolen. Private data held by hospitals and healthcare facilities can often be highly confidential and can be prone to attacks and theft as well. Security risks can run rife at these facilities if not properly managed.
It is for that reason that a hospital or other healthcare facility may wish to use OSP, which can offer owners, HMOs and administrations the following:
- a fully integrated security risk assessment for the hospital or healthcare facility
- considerations regarding the size, location and demographics of the hospital or facility, as well as the usual types of patients and visitors thereto
- security gaps and needs analysis for the hospital or healthcare facility
- access control measures, including visiting hours and non-visiting hours
- contractor controls
- emergency routes and routes of egress from all buildings
- surveillance / CCTV / motion sensor and other allied capabilities and needs in the lobby, general corridors and walkways and key locations throughout the hospital or facility, as highlighted by the analysis of hazards and risks
- dispensary inventory controls analysis and planning
- equipment inventory controls
- IT risk analysis, especially relating to confidential patient data
- security control desk / room / center analysis and viability
- security personnel profiling / hiring / vetting
- security-related training for hospital or medical staff, as well as all administrative and other staff within the hospital or facility
- building lockdown measures for extreme scenarios and events
- in-hospital or in-facility investigation procedures, including petty security incidents (although not those related to drugs or medical equipment and aids)
It is the unfortunate reality that hospitals and other types of healthcare facilities have various security risks, some of which are unique to the healthcare industry. That is why a hospital or similar facility can only benefit from having a comprehensive security management plan in place for all its employees, patients, contractors and visitors.
OSP’s philosophy is that we value the enormous benefits to society provided by the healthcare industry. That is why we provide our esteemed clients in healthcare with security solutions that are customer-oriented and customized to suit their specific hospital or healthcare facility or entity. The security of a hospital or healthcare facility is our objective and what drives the service that we provide. This approach and commitment is befitting of what OSP stands for. It is what we do – and we do so with pride and conviction.