Hospitals are places where hundreds, even thousands of people pass to their facilities every day. Patients, visitors, medical personnel, auxiliary … All this implies that the risks are high and must be controlled in different ways. Security systems for hospitals must bring together the technical and human means that guarantee a safe environment and are capable of identifying and resolving the existing risks both to the building and to people, possessions, equipment and information data files. And all at the same time, let’s see how it can be done.
Why the security systems for hospitals are so important?
The different security systems for hospitals are not only essential to avoid the risks inherent in centers where many people are, nor to protect the building itself or the objects and information that are inside. It goes much further.
A hospital is considered a center of relevant importance for the functioning of a society. And as such, it belongs to a group of infrastructures called essential in a country, such as its transport systems, power plants, banks, administration services, etc.
For this reason, it is part of the security in critical infrastructures of a country, with the exception that, for its protection, it must be taken into account that they are buildings of public concurrence and with a high rate of daily human traffic. Therefore, it is not only about protecting a building and what is inside, but it is also essential to the public services of a nation.
Types of devices to use
Those in charge of security systems for hospitals have at their disposal different tools with which they can guarantee the safety of people and objects found in these centers. Your choice will depend on a prior analysis of the risks and situations that may arise in each venue.
These are the most used hospital security systems:
- Closed circuit television (CTTV): essential to be able to monitor the different areas of a building.
- Access control: different systems aimed at filtering the passage in different areas of the hospital. They can be from face-to-face, located at the entrances with security guards, or automatic with locks or incorporation of modern technologies such as biometrics. The choice of one type or another will depend on the security conditions imposed in the area to be restricted.
- Alarm systems: detect different events such as the presence of people or high concentrations of certain gases, smoke, fire or leakage of substances.
- Monitoring of patients or risk areas: used in special areas where a special risk is expected in people, such as in children’s areas, geriatric area or psychiatric areas.
- Emergency communication systems: allow a timely response and provide real-time information in the event of a threat. They can integrate video, audio or image capture elements to enable a rapid response to the emergency detected.
Threats and security systems by zones for recommended hospitals
In general terms, the most common risks to which a hospital is exposed are vandalism by outsiders, theft by both employees and visitors, and threats against staff and patients.
To counteract all this, different security systems for hospitals should be used depending on the area to be monitored. These are recommended by areas:
- Emergencies: alarm systems, access control and CCTV (closed circuit television). All this to detect intrusions, gases, smoke or fires.
- Pharmacy warehouse: the most common risk is theft, this can be avoided by installing an alarm system or an access control with a lock.
- Children’s area: access control and CCTV, necessary to guarantee the safety of minors, especially in cases of child abduction.
- Zones in probation patients: in these areas special attention should be paid. For this, the installation of a reception and surveillance systems with a control center capable of enabling the closing or shutdown of the elevators is recommended.
- Maintenance rooms: access controls, key custody and an exit delay system.
- Lightning area: technological material and access controls.
- Laboratories: alarm system, CCTV and access controls.
- Psychiatric area: access control with security service and locks to prevent leaks and attacks by patients.
- Geriatric plant: access control, elevators, homeless people, patient locators and pager alarms.
- Medical offices: alarm system and access control.
- Mortuary: alarm system, video surveillance and access control.
- Archives: Access control and alarm systems.
- Computer enclosures: alarm system and access control.
- Car parks: vehicle access control (license plate readers), parking space control and video surveillance.
- Waste area: this is a particularly sensitive area, as there may be toxic or potentially dangerous waste. Access control systems must be installed for authorized personnel, for opening containers, and if there are risks of storing polluting garbage, surveillance, CCTV and entry services will be required.
Security systems in large facilities
At Microsegur we apply the most advanced security systems on the market adapted to the type of venue. We analyze and study the existing risks based on the possible threats that may arise in each environment to prescribe the best solution in each case.
We specialize in security in different types of critical infrastructures such as power plants, industrial plants, refineries, nuclear power plants, explosives warehouses, data processing centers and hospitals, among others.
All our security facilities offer specific means that comply with all the requirements imposed by the different regulations. We propose innovative solutions using the best and most modern technological methods such as perimeter detectors, television circuits, access control and artificial intelligence software, among others.
Both our human and technical resources are at the forefront to provide the different security systems for hospitals and thus be able to contribute to the creation of safe environments for both people and objects. Contact us to find out how we can help keep your facilities free from risks and threats.
