HARDWARE & SECURITY
The Evolving Role of Access Control in Healthcare
Daniel May of Consort reviews the integration of access control systems in healthcare settings , outlining the benefits and key considerations decision makers must make throughout product specification .
» FROM PATIENT SAFETY AND traversal to the protection of sensitive data and pharmaceuticals , today ’ s healthcare environments are faced with several operational challenges . And where security remains at the forefront of decision making , modern access control systems may often hold the answers .
Hospitals in particular have developed into multi-faceted spaces that house hundreds to thousands of patients , staff and visitors at any one time . In England for example , research has found in the three months leading to June 2023 , an average of 44,626 people visited major hospital A & E departments each day , with over 16 million attendances typically recorded over the course of a year - not to mention an additional 9 million logged at other minor units .
‘ there is no single solution that fits all healthcare buildings ’
For any building , this level of sustained footfall can invite severe security tests . With that , the need to deploy effective physical security systems in healthcare is clear . And so , as access control continues to become more readily adopted and new products enter the market , decision makers are reminded to consider the requirements of their building , ensuring they select the solutions most suited to their settings and budget .
Security controlled Patient safety will always remain top priority in healthcare settings , and where matters of health and social care come into question , a diverse set of professional regulatory bodies are tasked with setting and maintaining high standards . When it comes to healthcare premises specifically , patient security and perimeter security often come hand in hand and are amongst the most pressing of challenges that decision makers must face . To help address operational planning and potential design concerns in the NHS , the Health Building Note ( HBN ), provides general design guidance for healthcare buildings under HBN 00-01 - citing the use of access control measures as a way of maintaining security and protecting the safety of patients , staff and visitors .
Hospital buildings for example , must control varied levels of access for a number of operational and security purposes . Routine scenarios exist where vulnerable patients are under monitoring and thus refrained from exiting the premises for their own safety , while at the same time , permitted staff must be able to reach their patients and medicines when required . For this , the use of access control is key . Equally , access credentials can also help management teams keep track of those who may be entering or exiting rooms with equipment and pharmaceutical supplies , deterring any unwanted visitors and opportunists in the process .
Sources : https :// researchbriefings . files . parliament . uk / documents / CBP-7281 / CBP-7281 . pdf https :// www . hse . gov . uk / healthservices / arrangements . htm | https :// www . england . nhs . uk / estates / health-building-notes /
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SEPTEMBER 2023
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