By Healthcare Facilities Today

If someone is victimized by crime in a healthcare facility and the security program is found wanting, the cost could exceed the security budget for an entire year

If a patient or visitor is victimized by crime in a healthcare facility and the security program is found wanting, the cost could exceed the security budget for an entire year, according to an article on The Hospital Security Reporter website. 

The answers to this challenge must be need driven. The hospital security programs must be responsive to the unique needs of each hospital, the article said. To determine what a facilities needs are, a vulnerability and threat assessment of the entire hospital should be conducted. The assessment should include offsite clinics, urgent care facilities, home care services, behavioral health units, emergency department and even supply chain operations.

According to the article, a security professional must understands the appropriate application of current  technology, such as smart video, virtual patrol and virtual escorts. He/she should be familiar with CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) technique for both current facilities, and more importantly with the changes the Affordable Care Act is bringing, future facilities.

Read the article.