The health and safety of patients and healthcare workers are a high priority for facility managers. In these troubling times, there have been a lot of incidents where the staff and patients were under threat, so security is of utmost concern. Threats of physical violence have increased considerably over the last few years.
The key lies in improving the security system of your healthcare facility so your workers and patients can feel safe. You must take proactive measures to improve security. In this article, we will review how you can improve your entire security system and protocols.
1 – Conduct a security assessment
The first step in improving security at a healthcare facility is conducting a thorough security assessment. This will help identify areas of weakness and prioritize where resources should be allocated. A security assessment should include a review of policies and procedures, physical security measures, and technology systems.
Involving staff and patients in the assessment process can provide valuable insights and help to ensure that all perspectives are considered. This will provide a more comprehensive and well-rounded security plan for the facility. If there is a weak link in the overall system, then they will be the first to experience it and let you know.
2 – Surveillance and access controls
Physical security measures are critical to the overall security of a healthcare facility. These measures include things like access control systems, cameras, and secure door locks.
Surveillance cameras placed in high-traffic areas, entrances, and exits serve as a deterrent to potential criminals and can provide valuable evidence in the event of a security breach. Having a company such as Genetec handle this is a good idea since they have the technology to automatically scan license plates in the parking lot and will know if there is a problem ahead of time.
Implementing access control systems using electronic key cards or biometric authentication can help manage who has access to the facility. Secure door locks should also be added to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas within the facility and should be regularly checked to ensure they are functioning properly.
3 – Cybersecurity
The threats that patients and staff are facing are not just physical. There are hackers that are intent on entering the database to access sensitive information such as the identity of staff and patient records. With the increasing use of technology, including Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, cyberattacks have become a major threat to the security and privacy of sensitive patient information.
Cybersecurity measures such as regular software updates, firewalls, and staff training on cyber safety are important to protect against cyberattacks. Strong cybersecurity measures, such as encryption, secure access controls, regular software updates, and firewalls, can help prevent cyberattacks.
Regularly training staff on cyber safety, including best practices for password management and identifying phishing scams, is also important. Having a plan in place for responding to a cyberattack, including reporting the breach to relevant authorities, can help minimize the damage.
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