In the terms of security for healthcare vertical, there are different phases needed to be taken care of. Unauthorized access to the patient's medical record or expensive medications and equipment will not only cost the hospital a great fortune but also jeopardize their reputation. However, it is important to make sure that the visitors, patients, and injured are easy to go around in the hospital.
The multifaceted security challenge that the healthcare organizations are now facing now is to maintain flexible access and safe environment for patients and visitors while increasing protection on confidential data, staffs, equipment, and medications, suggested by Brian Song, Managing Director at IDIS Europe.
However, facing a more competitive market, many hospitals are demanded to upgrade infrastructure and heavily invest in IT systems in keeping accordance with regulations, and even expand into new areas beyond the hospital, according to Josh Phillips, Director of Marketing of Enterprise and Critical Infrastructure at Verint. “All new projects are selecting IP to match extensive investments that hospitals are making in IT infrastructure,” Phillips emphasized. “Those with analog are considering migration strategies.”
Regarding to the complex security demands from healthcare sector, asmag.com is going to present some highlights from the industry aspects.
Integration of Key and Facilities Management
The high staff turnover rate in a hospital can lead to unauthorized copies of keys distributed to people. Meanwhile, different security levels are in demand throughout the hospitals – from perimeter security for the surrounded area to personal storage. It is crucial to be able to distinguish individual access authority; in the mean time, making sure that patients and visitors are at their most convenience during their staying in the hospital. Therefore, instead of manual managing procedure, a comprehensive access control system that can effectively assist the manager to cope with urgent incidents is preferable.
“Having a master key system that can be managed centrally allows staff with the necessary authority to access rooms, without having to waste time trying to locate the correct key or find out the correct pass code,” said Tina Hughan, Marketing Director for ASSA ABLOY UK. Furthermore, the systems need to be easy and intuitive for less experienced users to manage.
Nothing can be more troublesome when it comes to physical key management. Imagine how much trouble you will have to go through if a person who possesses the key to the medication cabinet has left the building. “Integrating key management with access control allows businesses to meet their key and asset protection needs by implementing advanced key management and locker systems to provide a total solution for security and facilities management,” mentioned Ross Bale, Business Development Manager in the UK at Nedap.
Meanwhile, better management on the lockers can also reduce the physical lockers and space needed. “By seamlessly integrating electronic locker management into the access control platform, it ensures that the maximum numbers of lockers are available for staff to use,” Bale continued.
IP System and Video Analytics is Dominating
Hospital is one of the sectors that require high efficiency the most. When it comes to bringing out the utmost efficiency, IP systems are definitely the most convenient option. “In today's market, a majority of healthcare facilities seek out IP-based surveillance solutions. These technologies offer far more functionalities and return-on-investment than their analog counterparts,” stated Jack Meltzer, Senior Director of Global A&E Program at DVTEL.
Not only is CMOS sensor able to deliver high-resolution images with more details, but the real-time recording can be used for video analysis and integrated with alarms, access control, and other systems, helping end users to take appropriate actions on emergency immediately. For instance, IP surveillance systems can integrate with infant tagging systems at the nursery section in a hospital, providing live monitoring and deterring potential criminal activities, according to Meltzer.
“Video management software is suggested to install considering that the recording, live media data, and instant playback can be operated on a single computer or separate computers according to the client's preferences,” said Steve Ma, Executive Vice President at VIVOTEK.
Speaking of surveillance camera deployed by healthcare sector, other than superior low-light performance, a discrete design of the camera is often highlighted due to the demand not only on ensuring patient's privacy and also for blending into surrounded design. “Small form-factors cameras and cameras with WDR function and good low-light performance are suggested since they can be easily blended into the interior design and able to capture clear image quality under challenging lighting conditions,” recommended Ma.
PSIM Has You Fully Covered
Besides adopting surveillance and access control systems that come with added values, integrating all security systems under the same platform is trending in this vertical.
Lacking of prompt response to emergency may cost tens to hundreds of life in a hospital, leading to devastating consequence. In order to shorten response time to incidents, it is essential to have comprehensive preparation for any possible emergent scenarios.
“A PSIM based security management system offers healthcare environments with a wide range of benefits such as increased situational awareness, which enables a Common Operating Picture for all security operatives, as well as correlating intelligence for real time verification of alarms. It also provides improved efficiencies, which can be achieved from a reduction in false alarms, the prioritization of the most appropriate security resources, and better guidance of response teams using both audio and visual intelligence and helps to reduce training requirements,” said James Candy, VP Technical Services, CNL Software. “Sophisticated post incident reporting and dashboards also provide valuable insights helping to improve the overall performance of security personnel, processes and infrastructure.”
What's Coming Up
Home Care Market is Full of Potential
A promising growth on IP surveillance can be expected in the healthcare sector. As the budget remains a main concern for most of the hospital security manager, IP solution, coming with lower cost of ownership, is much more attractive.
Moreover, while the global population continues to grow and it will be even more difficult to provide sufficient rooms for all of the patients, a new healthcare market is rising. “It will become more common for the elderly and sick people to stay at home and receive treatment and support from the comfort of their home environment,” Johan Åkesson, Business Development Director for Retail at Axis Communications. “Within the home care market the use of network video surveillance plays an important role, making it possible for hospital staff to monitor patients in their home, follow up on treatment and take action in case something happens.”
RFID Propels Innovative Applications
“The recent launch of Apple's long-awaited tap-to-pay technology on its new iPhone 6, using NFC (near field communication) based technology, makes the residency of contactless access control on smartphone seem quite tangible and not too far away. The innovative world of gesture technology is also set to make an impact on how individuals will be able to control a variety of RFID devices,” suggested Hughan.
Editor's Highlights - Case Studies
SALTO Systems safeguard Antrim Area Hospital in Northern Ireland
Nedap keyless drug storage for Darent Valley hospital
Hospital in India kitted out with VIVOTEK cameras
AXIS helps you keep an eye from home on baby in the hospital
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