Making Hospitals Safer with Physical Security Solutions

When it comes to specifying security solutions, every single building or application must undergo a risk assessment to ensure that the products selected will sufficiently minimise the likelihood of crime or accidents occurring. In hospitals, although the exact layout of each building will vary, they all face similar challenges in terms of safety and security. As hospitals are ‘open-campus’ environments, the main issues stem from the inability to closely control the coming and going of people from the street, whether patients, visitors or members of staff. This poses risks due to increased opportunities for criminal activity and, in terms of safety, large numbers of people in rooms and corridors.

Consequently, hospitals are fitted with numerous security devices designed to reduce the risk of crime or accidents in order to maintain a safe environment conducive to the wellbeing of those within the building, whether patients, visitors or hospital staff.

Setting a Standard

The safe storage of Controlled Drugs is a universal requirement in hospital buildings, as they need to be kept in a high security storage facility that meets Government legislation. The installation of high security safes and cabinets is the practical solution, as these effectively localise security by allowing hospital staff to focus on monitoring access to the safe rather than the whole room or ward. The legal requirement for the construction of these safes is detailed in The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1973, from the necessary industry standards the safe need to meet to the thickness and type of material it is made from. Small stocks of Controlled Drug raw materials, for instance, must be stored in safes certified to Grades S1 or S2 of BS/EN 14450, and the material used for construction much be heavily graded and fitted with a robust locking mechanism.

Securikey’s Steel Stor meets all relevant security criteria and is the product of choice for numerous hospitals across the UK due to its reliability and ease of use. Built using 4mm steel, these products have proved highly resistant to severe burglary tests and have a flawless reputation in the field as they have never succumbed to attack. This is due to their robust construction as well as features such as three-way locking bolts and a ‘VdS class 1 approved’ safe lock. For added security, a dual locking facility is also available and customers can select from a choice of locking systems depending on their needs.

Easy Installation Access Control

Although hospitals cannot rigorously control the comings and goings of the public via main entrances, there are solutions available to ensure that particular rooms or wards cannot be accessed without authorisation. This is particularly important in rooms containing expensive hospital equipment that could be stolen or damaged; MRI machines, for instance, can cost up to £1.9m and the cost of repair and replacement of parts can likewise be incredibly expensive. The abduction of newborn babies is another risk which, although unlikely, must be safeguarded against at all costs.

A popular and effective method of preventing unauthorised access to rooms or wards is via the installation of a mechanical digital door lock, which can offer benefits over and above a traditional key lock. With these devices, there is no need for access tools such as keys, cards or tokens, which could be stolen or lost. Additional hardware is not required as the digital door locks are fully self-contained, thereby minimising costs and installation time, and new codes can be reinstated very quickly if compromised. High quality models, such as Securikey’s Keylex Heavy-Duty Digital Door Locks, provide a long-lasting solution as they are built from industrial stainless steel and are intended for frequent use, thereby avoiding numerous costly replacements, as well as being suitable for installation externally due to their non-corrosive capabilities. The proven design incorporates a built-in slipping clutch mechanism to resist attack, providing the ultimate security for those areas of the hospital that need additional protection.

Safety by Mirrors

Busy hospital environments present safety hazards as a result of large quantities of patients, visitors and hospital employees walking from one area of the building to another, along with the regular transportation of beds and wheelchairs. Corridors are particularly high risk areas with people travelling up and down at higher speeds and blind spots causing issues at corners and intersections. Mirrors can be strategically placed as a cost-effective method to increase visibility and help prevent accidents in these high risk areas.

Securikey supplies a range of mirrors, each providing a different type of solution depending on the location. The new Hemisphere Convex Half Face Mirror is perfectly suited for placement at corridor intersections, whereas Quarter Face Mirrors are designed for improving visibility around corners. For enhanced security in areas that are directly accessed by the public, such as reception and A&E, Round Convex Mirrors and/or Dome Mirrors can be installed to allow staff, visitors and patients to better monitor their surroundings.

Hospital car parks are also extremely busy with visitors, patients and ambulances continually on the move, and mirrors designed for external use can be installed to extend the field of vision for drivers and reduce the risk of vehicles colliding or pedestrians being hit. Securikey External Mirrors are an ideal solution as they are designed to be long-lasting, even in rough weather conditions, with an extra thick mirror surface set within a UV resistant frame.

Whatever product is needed to improve the safety and security of hospitals or other healthcare environments, a good supplier will always be able to provide in-depth advice and information for their customers to aid in appropriate selection, whether at the beginning of a building project or as a single installation. To speak to a member of the highly knowledgeable Securikey team, please call 01252 311888 or alternatively email enquiries@securikey.co.uk