In the United States and around the world, hospitals and healthcare organizations are typically viewed as safe havens for patients, families and staff. Individuals from the community enter hospitals daily seeking medical care or visiting friends and family, and they expect a safe, secure environment. Employees, nurses, physicians and other hospital staff members also come to work each day with the same expectations of safety.

People often ask why hospitals and healthcare organizations need such high levels of security. The answer is simple.

A hospital is similar to a small city within a city. Many of the same issues that city police and law enforcement officials deal with arise in hospitals at some point. A hospital is a community of people and departments that can be widely dispersed. Staff often work in isolation, and hospitals are open to anyone, including mental health and forensics patients. Hospitals offer lucrative benefits for individuals seeking drugs, and domestic violence disputes or workplace violence can erupt in healthcare settings in minutes.

All hospitals are attractive targets for criminal activity. Pharmacies, birthing centers, behavioral/mental health units and emergency departments are just a few areas that require added protection and security. Hospitals and healthcare facilities typically have a 24/7 open-door policy. This allows thousands of people to enter the facilities, at all hours. There are multiple points of ingress and egress, including the main entrance, emergency room, staff entrances, loading docks and other points in the building. The increased risk of crime and breaches of security are complicated by this open-door policy, which often spans multiple campuses.

Balancing Cost-Effectiveness and Comprehensive Security

Healthcare organizations are challenged in a new day of healthcare reform that requires them to more stringently balance medical care, cost and efficiency. Most are battling Medicare/Medicaid for higher levels of reimbursement, and hospital administrators are constantly looking for cost-effective solutions for all services – including safety and security.

Meeting the requirements and standards of state and federal regulatory agencies is a critical consideration when deploying security strategies. Developing a strategic security plan requires careful consideration of the hospital environment, assessment of current security measures and effectiveness, and identifying opportunities to strengthen security cost-effectively. It also involves the most effective balance of security professionals and technology for optimal effectiveness and cost management. Cost-effective, enhanced security solutions should also include support services such as professionally trained security officers, police officers and off-duty police where appropriate.

A critical objective for healthcare security partners when working with healthcare organizations is to assess, identify and create a comprehensive security model specific to the organization. Although there are similarities among all hospitals, there are also unique aspects and needs within each individual hospital environment. It’s essential to recognize the nuances when creating the best possible security plan.

One of the first questions asked by most healthcare leaders is, “How does security and public safety impact the budget and bottom line?” A former CEO of a major healthcare facility once expressed his thoughts this way: “If people in the community do not feel safe when they are in your facility or on your campus, they will find another hospital that meets their needs and seek healthcare services elsewhere.” This philosophy remains true today.

Healthcare security providers must embrace opportunities to demonstrate how a strong security program can also be cost-effective. For example, ODS Security Solutions partnered with a hospital in North Carolina for an opportunity to pave the way for a more structured and efficient hospital security team. The partnering hospital recognized the importance of creating change to reformat the duties and responsibilities performed by security personnel in their facility. Change created an opportunity to also build a comprehensive security team charged with covering all aspects of safety and security. The ultimate goal was to increase the safety for patients, visitors and staff – while managing costs.

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