By Ken Bukowski/ Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

A healthcare security program requires seamlessly integrated solutions and a comprehensive approach that provides you and your hospital staff, patients and visitors with peace of mind.  A fully integrated security program can protect and enhance your brand, help decrease the threat of an incident on campus and increase the security experience for everyone.

A comprehensive security solution should be fluid and flexible. It should consist of all the tools your security team needs to adequately monitor and patrol your facility, as well as facilitate communication. Your security program should also be able to be adjusted when needed. This requires regular reviews to ensure your solutions are meeting your hospital’s ever-expanding, and always changing, scope of needs. All individuals involved with any aspect of security should work together. This not only includes your security team but also hospital staff as they play an important role in the safety and security of your facility.

Every aspect of a security program is important but you may need to implement additional solutions or reconfigure existing security measures to gain the results you desire. For example, you may be able to gain efficiencies and gather data for trending if visitor management software is deployed. Visitor management systems streamline processes by reducing registration times, automating manual processes, and putting relevant information at security officers’ fingertips. When used properly and selected based on a program’s specific needs, this, and other technologies, can create enhancements and lead to a tailored security solution designed to deliver specific results.  

Your security team can help you decide what solutions, including technology, training and personnel services, would be beneficial to your healthcare facility. A well-trained security staff and engaged security management can be the anchor of your security program, but can also provide you with assistance when envisioning the bigger security picture. Work with your security provider to find an approach that can best meet your needs and create a highly effective security strategy.

Bukowski is the vice president of healthcare, AlliedBarton Security Services