Securing Our Health System’s People, Places and Things
In today’s worrisome world we have to keep our medical facilities safe. Now more than ever with coronavirus concerns in major metro areas. We are learning hard lessons about preparedness given the current concerns over ventilators, masks and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
While states and cities are busy at work acquiring the necessary equipment to keep their populations safe it is crucial that the medical equipment that they find is kept safe.
Medical facilities, such as hospitals, pharmacies, dental and or doctors’ offices, and durable medical equipment facilities must be extremely careful with how and where they store equipment and medicine.
People are stealing masks from local hospitals out of fear of COVID-19. In early March 2020 Governor Cuomo announced 11 new cases in New York state overnight, bringing the total to 33 — tripling over the previous 48 hours.
Anxiety over the new coronavirus has driven some people to start stealing medical face masks from hospitals. “Not just people taking a couple or three, I mean just actual thefts of those products,” Cuomo said at a press conference from the state capital in Albany. “I’ve asked the state police to do an investigation, look at places that are selling masks, medical equipment, protective wear, feeding the anxiety.”
Securing Our Health System – Proper Protection
Without proper protection in place, medication and medical equipment can end up in the wrong hands. And of course, if drugs and medication are consumed without medical guidance or equipment is used improperly, your business, patients and employees are put at risk.
UpGrade Security Solutions is committed to helping our medical system stay strong during this virus crisis. We share some tips on how New York healthcare facilities can provide extra protection for areas containing medicine or medical equipment.
Battle Against Theft (Health Dangers)
Any medical facility in the New York are that has medicine and equipment, such as prescription drugs, laboratory materials and monitors is potentially vulnerable. The resources they store are not only extremely valuable, but potentially dangerous when used improperly.
We must protect each and every facility with the utmost care.
Monitored Alarms Avoid theft and damage from environmental hazards by installing monitored alarms where medical items are stored.
Examples of monitored alarms include:
- Burglar alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire/smoke detectors
- Water sensors
Although installing monitored alarms can help increase security measures, proper installation is critical. Work with Upgrade Security Solutions to ensure you and your monitoring center are communicating and receiving notifications.
Limit Access to Necessary Individuals
Not everyone in a hospital or other medical organization needs access to everything. Only grant appropriately accredited personnel access to medical equipment and medication. Those who have access to storage areas (e.g. cabinets, storage rooms, carts) should have knowledge of their contents so no equipment or medicine is improperly used or misplaced.
Consider keeping tabs on personnel with the following security equipment:
- Image sensors. Have the ability to instantly detect if someone has accessed or entered a restricted storage area, no matter where you are.
- Access control elements (biometric readers, key cards, and swipe readers) will allow you to assign each individual a specific form of identification so you can determine who is accessing storage areas at all times.
- CCTV Systems. Place cameras inside and outside of storage areas to ensure authorized personnel are the only ones entering—and behaving appropriately.
If you have not already done so, consider using mobile solutions via smartphone, tablet or laptop to receive notifications if any of these systems are triggered.
Keep Storage at Optimal Temperature
There are many types of medication and medical supplies that must be stored at specific temperature and humidity levels to avoid spoilage, contamination or dangerous chemical reactions. Keep an eye on room conditions by utilizing smart thermostats in your medical storage areas.
Many smart thermostats allow your team to control temperature parameters remotely. Adjust temperature levels or set them to your preferred settings and receive alerts if there are changes.
Securing Our Health System and Facilities
We have enough to worry about given the dangers of the coronavirus to our well-being and way of life. Let’s not have to worry about cyber-attacks to theft. healthcare facilities face numerous threats.
At UpGrade Security Solutions we have expertise in all forms of security from CCTV and Access Control to Door Locking and Structured Cabling.
We secure people, places and things.
