Why Does an Assisted Living Facility Need a Security System?

Assisted Living FacilityAssisted living facilities are dynamic environments.  You have occupants with varying levels of medical needs alongside administrative, medical, and visiting personnel.  It’s a somewhat complex security issue because residents and staff need to be able to move throughout the facility freely, but unauthorized entrants must somehow be kept out.  The mental health and acuity of residents can also be a cause for concern.  In an aging population medical conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s can cause residents to wander off or get lost which is a major concern for staff and resident relatives.  Thankfully by implementing security system solutions many of these concerns can be addressed.

At Perfect Connections, Inc. our licensed security system integrators have been providing comprehensive security solutions to healthcare facilities throughout northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years.  Our team understands the importance of securing assisted living facilities isn’t solely about protecting physical assets, it’s about ensuring the safety and security of the people that live and work there.  It’s about providing a peace of mind to not only the staff and residents, but resident’s families as well.

Comprehensive security systems should include fire alarms, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, burglar alarms, a surveillance system, access control, and a monitoring service.  One of the most important components that should concern assisted living facilities is access control.  Access control can be implemented in a number of ways and an assisted living facility may require more than one mode.

The on-site staff will likely need access to areas where medication is stored and administrative offices, supply rooms, and medical records etc.  Access not only has to be convenient, but limited to authorized staff.  The reason this can sometimes be challenging is because residents want to be able to roam throughout the facility freely as do visitors.  Fortunately with access control solutions the chances of a resident or visitor wandering into a restricted area are lowered significantly.

By installing readers at entries and distributing credentials (fobs, swipe cards, and proximity cards) to authorized users, access will be limited.  The benefit of using readers in conjunction with credentials vs traditional locks and keys is you don’t have to worry about lost or stolen keys.  Cards and fobs can be remotely disabled whereas a lost key may never be recovered which ultimately leads to changing out the locks and over time that can be costly.

According to Mark Jarman, President of Inovonics, “…the assisted living market has changed from one of simply providing clinical care, much like hospitals, to sprawling campuses which are often a blend of independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing services.”  This creates a more complex environment that requires increased safety and vigilance.  Assisted living facilities are full of activity, the constant coming and going of staff, residents, and visitors, it can be challenging to keep an eye on everything, that’s why having a surveillance system is vital.  It’s a helpful tool that allows staff to keep track of patients that might have the tendency to wander and it gives residents a peace of mind.  In the event an intruder is able to gain access to the facility, surveillance will help authorities catch the perpetrator and depending on the type of system, it can even be setup to send real-time alerts to staff members on their mobile devices.

Aside from surveillance and access control solutions it’s imperative and likely required by local and national laws to have a fire alarm system and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Fire alarm systems and detectors are lifesaving components that when tied to a monitored security system become even more effective.  With a monitored system, when an alarm sounds, a signal is sent to the monitoring station which then immediately alerts emergency responders, and in unpredictable situations it is imperative to have the quickest response possible.  This is critical in an assisted living facility as residents are likely slower moving and may have impaired hearing or eyesight.  Some fire alarm systems can even indicate which detectors or alarms within the facility initiated the alert which is helpful to responders as they’ll have a better idea where to start when they arrive on site.

The reasons why an assisted living facility would need a security system are evident.  There is a need to protect residents, staff, visitors, medical records, physical assets, and facility property.  A comprehensive security system that includes access control, surveillance, fire alarms, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a monitoring service is essential.  At Perfect Connections, Inc. our licensed integrators can help design a custom and comprehensive system that is tailored to the specific needs of your facility.  Every organization is unique and should be treated as such, especially when it comes to matters of security.

If you live or run a business in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credit: Image by U.S. Department of Agriculture-Flickr-Creative Commons

Healthcare Climate and Security

Healthcare-NEC Corp of AmericaHealthcare facilities pose a unique security situation.  By nature they hold a lot of risk other organizations don’t necessarily have to deal with.  Most healthcare facilities are open to the public and provide care for a vast array of people on a daily basis.  Many facilities also house expensive and often sought after narcotics or medications.  Also, recent changes to healthcare policies are having an effect on everyday operations and their implications may not be fully realized yet.  These factors combined with the unpredictability of patient and public behavior make healthcare facilities particularly sensitive environments that require special attention when it comes to security.

As licensed security system integrators our team at Perfect Connections, Inc. understands the changing healthcare climate is producing security risks that need to be addressed.  We have been providing comprehensive security system solutions to facilities throughout northern and central New Jersey since 1992.  Protecting the integrity of any healthcare facility is crucial to the safety of not only its patients and the general public, but medical staff as well.

Unfortunately, healthcare facilities are no strangers to criminal activity.  The 2012 Crime and Security Trends Survey, based on responses from 208 healthcare organizations across the United States, showed that incidents of crime at healthcare facilities are on the rise.  In just two years from 2010 to 2012 these incidents rose 37% from a reported 15,000 to more than 20,500.  Keep in mind these were reported events.  The US Department of Justice estimates that at least half of the crimes committed go unreported.  A reason organizations fail to report disturbances is at least partially due to the fact that they don’t want to look bad in the public eye and potentially lose patronage.

There are many contributing factors to the rise in criminal incidents at healthcare facilities.  For one, many facilities are open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which can leave them vulnerable.  Outside disputes sometimes spill into the healthcare environment causing disturbances and putting staff and patients at risk.  Many facilities house pharmaceuticals which can attract substance abusers and drug dealers, increasing the risk of narcotic theft and violence.  Another security issue facilities face is when their real estate expands.  When healthcare organizations acquire new facilities it can be difficult to create consistency in mitigating risks and instituting security protocols, especially across sprawling campuses.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA also known as “Obamacare”) poses a not so obvious concern when it comes to healthcare security.  How can a healthcare policy affect security you ask?  According to James Barbour, Market Research Analyst on the Kratos PSS Marketing Team, the ACA will undoubtedly have implications on healthcare budgets.  He says, “Hospitals will guard their budgets cautiously, and security—traditionally viewed as a cost center—will feel the pinch.”  Experts also estimate a rise in patient volume due to more people being insured.  This has the potential to overwhelm facilities that are already stretched too thin due to budget cuts.  The repercussions of the ACA have not been fully realized in general, however security integrators and healthcare professionals should be thinking about ways to effectively and economically manage the risks associated with the healthcare environment.

Often times a healthcare facility will employ physical security guards to help ensure the safety of their staff and patients.  However, in the changing economy and in light of policy changes we know security may be faced with spending challenges.  Security guards may be on the chopping block when it comes to budget costs, so how can facilities make up for the lack of physical security?  Implement comprehensive security systems that include access controls, surveillance, monitoring and notification systems, and lockdown capabilities.

Access control systems can help limit who can gain entry to specific areas of your facility.  This would help in sensitive areas, like pharmaceutical storage and data centers.  According to Joe Liguori, president of the Board of Directors Security-Net, “healthcare facilities are finding that there is a long-term cost savings by implementing access control for storage and supply closets, for example, eliminating the need to change locks and replace lost or stolen keys.”  Access control can also help decrease or eliminate theft.  By using different methods like card readers, fobs, or sometimes biometrics credentials are harder to duplicate or steal making it easier for medical staff to focus on what is most important, their patients.

In addition to access control, surveillance plays a key role in crime prevention and overall safety.  Security cameras allow an organization to have eyes across their entire facility including areas that often go unprotected like parking lots/garages.  Having a monitored security system, especially in regards to surveillance, helps alert the proper authorities faster in an emergency.  In tandem with a monitoring service, a mass notification system can notify the right personnel in an emergency or dangerous situation as it is occurring.  Being notified of an event as it happens would allow for immediate action and hopefully prevent further damage.  This is where lockdown capabilities would be beneficial as well.  All it would take is the touch of a single button from a facility member, and part or all of a building could be shut down.  This is a particularly beneficial feature that can keep a perpetrator out of certain areas in high risk scenarios.  Fortunately, lockdown capabilities can sometimes be easily integrated with existing access control features.

While crime statistics can seem daunting, it’s important to remember that many, if not most, healthcare facilities are generally considered safe.  However, as a healthcare professional or facilities manager it behooves one to consider the risks specific to their organization and how they can be mitigated.  As security system integrators, our licensed team at Perfect Connections, Inc. has been providing comprehensive security solutions to healthcare facilities throughout northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years.  Just like your patients, we know that no two facilities are exactly the same and that it takes an individualized approach to solve specific needs.

If you live or run a healthcare facility in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credit: Image by NEC Corporation of America-Flickr-Creative Commons

How Can You Tell Which Facility Is Best?

Elderly-Sima DimitricAssisted living facilities are a way our aging community can be cared for and maintain a sense of independence.  As a caregiver you can never be too careful or particular when searching for geriatric care for a loved one.  They’re your family and you want them to be cared for as well as they cared for you.  That begs the question how do you know that the facility you’re looking at is the right one for your loved one?

There are many factors to consider when searching for a facility including the health and mental state of your loved one.  Knowing what type of care they will need is important and will help narrow the scope.  A critical feature that you should always be looking for is the security.  How does the facility protect its residents?  What security features are in place to ensure their safety?  As a leading security system provider our team at Perfect Connections, Inc. has been providing comprehensive security systems to healthcare facilities throughout northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years.  We understand how important safety and security is to not only the facility but families as well.

What to look for

The physical structure, layout, and interior design of a facility can say a lot.  Any new facility will likely be built with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) design standards in mind.  For example, this means bathrooms will accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.  It’s the older facilities that you’ll want to tour thoroughly to be sure they’ve either made renovations or accommodations for wheelchair bound and handicapped individuals.  This is extremely important for people with limited mobility, you want to be sure they’ll be able to get around with minimal struggle.  Keep an eye out for aesthetic details that could pose a risk like area rugs, high-pile carpeting, outdated and potentially dangerous flooring as these features can increase the chances of slipping or falling.

Is there a check-in desk? This is an important security feature that will help protect residents because it will prevent random visitors from entering unnoticed.  Visitors and guests should be required to sign-in with photo identification to help prevent unauthorized entrance.  Without a check-in/sign-in desk or area anyone could just wander in or out leaving the facility, staff, and residents at risk.  Having a designated area will act as an added form of access control for the facility.

Does the facility have a surveillance system?  Surveillance is a key component to any security system.  It would help monitor residents, staff, and visitors.  Surveillance equipment can be particularly helpful in the case of elderly abuse or missing/wandering residents.  It can help provide timelines and proof in the case of abuse, missing/wandering residents, or unauthorized visitors.  Obviously the goal is to avoid all of these things, but surveillance is an added layer of security that helps provide a peace of mind and encourages people to be on their best behavior.

Is there a monitored fire and carbon monoxide alarm system and what is the facility’s emergency plan?  Having an emergency plan that staff is fully trained and experienced in is vital to the safety and survival of a facility’s residents.  As an emergency consulting firm points out, “Assisted living facilities face greater difficulties than any other business when it comes time to respond to a disaster. Residents are often disabled, suffer from reduced mobility, and may not respond to instruction as expected.”  Part of an emergency plan includes being prepared for unpredictable events such as a fire, earthquake, or hurricane etc.  Being prepared means having a plan of action that all staff and personnel have tested and understand.  Assisted living facilities should have monitored fire and carbon monoxide alarms systems, this will ensure the quickest response time from local emergency and authority crews and help prevent potentially life threatening situations.  Each facility has to adhere to local fire codes and requirements as well.

While looking for an assisted living facility for your loved one may seem like a daunting task, knowing what to look for will help alleviate some of struggle.  As a facility owner having everything in order can be taxing, but it’s essential to the safety and security of your staff, facility, and most importantly the people in your care.  At Perfect Connections, Inc. our team of experts has been providing comprehensive security solutions to healthcare facilities throughout northern and central New Jersey since 1992.  While no system is perfect, having a comprehensive one will greatly decrease the risk of catastrophe and help prepare you, your staff, and residents in the event of an emergency.  It’ll provide you and your clients with a peace of mind that is hard to obtain from anything else.

If you live or run a facility in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

For further information and questions you should ask when looking for an assisted living facility the links below can help:

Top 10 Safety Hazards in Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted Living Facilities.org

Assisted Living Community Evaluation Checklist

Image Credit: Image by Sima Dimitric-Flickr-Creative Commons

A Unique Security Situation: Emergency Rooms

Emergency RoomWhen it comes to security challenges in healthcare facilities EDs (Emergency Departments) are truly unique.  There’s a diversity in not only the people that come in and out, but the services provided as well.  Never mind the fact that EDs are open 24/7 and can’t deny treatment to anyone.  This leads to a complicated dynamic that poses security risks to staff, patients, and guests.  As a leading security systems provider in northern and central New Jersey, our team at Perfect Connections, Inc. is adept at assessing the security risks associated with different environments, including healthcare facilities.  We’ll take you through some of the most common risks associated with EDs and how a comprehensive security system can help.

One of the most prominent threats to safety in EDs is the mentally unstable or violent patient (the two often go hand-in-hand).  There have been numerous accounts of attacks, both physical and verbal, on medical workers across the nation.  It’s no surprise either, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs (Registered Nurses) alone face a 6.1 per 10,000 chance of being assaulted on the job.  That’s triple the chances of an average American worker.  As these assaults are typically unpredictable and unprovoked, how can a hospital be prepared?  Some have employed security guards as an addition to systemic precautions.  Others, like Dr. Melissa Barton of Detroit Sinai-Grace Hospital have pushed for security enhancements such as metal detectors as hospital entrances.  Barton on hospital security, “It’s a balance between having patients and facilities and visitors feel welcome and that we want them to come and see their loved ones, versus also offering safety and a feeling of security for those same people.”

When you think of an ED, what comes to mind?  It’s unlikely a peaceful and relaxed scene, right?  You have any number of people coming in and out who are all dealing with an “emergency.”  This can lead to high tensions, aggravated emotions, and stress.  These feelings can escalate quickly especially when there is overcrowding which can lead to long wait times, further exacerbating the tumultuous atmosphere.  When situations do escalate within an ED, they can quickly turn violent.  Aside from high stress situations driving people to act out, there are other reasons why hospital violence occurs.  Take for example a law in Kentucky designed to keep those who commit misdemeanor crimes out of jail in order to free up space for the more dangerous criminals.  As a result Kentucky hospitals found themselves turning into a “dumping ground” for alcoholics and the disorderly, often homeless, which would have otherwise been imprisoned.  This leads to higher security risks for intake staff and other patients waiting for treatment.

As previously mentioned public hospitals can’t typically refuse care to anyone, including convicted felons.  This can pose a hazard to hospital security, its staff, and patients.  These dangerous patients are sometimes referred to as a “forensic patient” or “prisoner patient.”  A forensic patient is typically accompanied by a law enforcement individual, but there is still risk involved.  These types of patients can attempt to escape by using force and they tend to have erratic behavior.  A study performed by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) in 2010 on prisoner escape attempts showed that patients were able to obtain weapons through altercations with law enforcement, hospital security, or using their own restraints.  Preventing these high risk patients from escaping or harming other patients is an issue.  If there were a section of the ED or hospital that was designated for high risk patients it might be easier to contain them using secure access controls.  Some hospitals may already have a designated area for these types of patients but those that don’t may want to have a security systems expert assess their risks and how to deal with them.

How can enhanced security help?  Certainly having physical security guards in place can help deter crime, but installing a comprehensive security system can help prevent disastrous situations.  By having an access control mechanism installed you can limit who can enter which areas.  This would help prevent loss of narcotics and limit the locations where violent behavior or outburst can potentially occur.  It could also help contain violent patients or guests to specific areas.  Having a monitored and recorded surveillance system would help catch criminals and provide evidentiary support in their prosecution.

While a security system won’t cut out violent or unpredictable behavior in EDs and hospitals altogether, it can help minimize and contain it.  Contact our team of professionals at Perfect Connections, Inc. to assess the security risks associated with your healthcare facility.  We can provide a customized solution that will help minimize potential threats to your facility, staff, and patients.  Our team has been providing expert service to facilities in the northern and central regions of New Jersey since 1992.  We want to help you keep your facility safe so you can get back to what matters most, caring for your patients.

If you live or run a facility in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credit: Image by Taber Andrew Bain-Flickr-Creative Commons

Is Your Healthcare Facility At Risk?

The healthcare system is constantly evKONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAolving as are the measures and technology to keep it secure.  Technology can and should play an integral role in the protection and management of any healthcare facility.  Healthcare facilities can be anything from a hospital to an assisted living environment, or a portable x-ray unit to a rehab center.  While most of these environments are typically considered safe, the need for security is vital nonetheless.  There are a multitude of external and internal factors that determine a facilities’ security needs.  Safety in a healthcare environment is not only important to the staff and facility manager, but the public as well.  Are your patients, staff, and assets being adequately protected?

What Requires Protection?

When thinking about healthcare facilities, visualizing medically related images like that of a stethoscope or a doctor is typical.  Picturing surveillance equipment and access cards is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.  However, security is a major issue for many facilities.  They are dynamic spaces that have an obligation to protect staff, patients, and assets, while also making the public feel comfortable.  Who and what needs protection, and why?

People visit healthcare facilities seeking treatment and care for a multitude of issues.  These people are you, me, our families, our friends, and the people we don’t know personally.  Families want to know that their loved ones are being taken care of properly when they can’t be around.  A knowledgeable security systems company, like Perfect Connections, Inc., knows that whether patients are in a hospital, clinic, or an assisted living facility, installing a comprehensive security system will not only help protect them, but can help provide peace of mind.  It could also help decrease the chances of patient elopement.  According to The National Institute for Elopement Prevention  elopement is defined as, “When a patient or resident who is cognitively, physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or chemically impaired; wanders away, walks away, runs away, escapes, or otherwise leaves a caregiving facility or environment unsupervised, unnoticed, and/or prior to their scheduled discharge.”  This should be a concern because in all likelihood the healthcare organization would be liable; it could be financially catastrophic for a facility and emotionally disastrous for a family.  Patient elopement could become a public safety concern if a violent criminal were to escape, if another patient were abducted during an escape, or if an individual with an infectious disease were to flee.  Remember, all types of individuals are admitted for treatment.

The safety of a healthcare facility’s staff and pharmaceuticals is paramount to their success in treating patients.  According to Joel Griffin, editor at SecurityInfoWatch.com, across the United States, there has been an increase in healthcare facility crimes.  Crimes include theft, assault, vandalism, rape, and homicide.  Griffin states, “98 percent of healthcare facilities now experience violence and criminal incidents.”  This seems shocking but the reasons behind why are not, it’s just they may not be obvious.  For instance, in today’s fast paced, non-stop society, many healthcare organizations are operating before and/or after the average 9am-5pm work day, if not 24/7.  This leads to increased foot traffic resulting in a higher probability of potential crime.

Money & pills-Images MoneyDrug addicts and other substance abusers can be problematic if on site pharmaceuticals are not effectively fortified.  Substance abuse can be an internal staff issue as well.  In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites significant consequences of healthcare providers pilfering patients’ narcotics, including patients not receiving proper treatment or being deprived of adequate pain relief, and the risk of infection from life-threatening diseases like Hepatitis C.  With advanced access controlled security systems in combination with monitored surveillance, these risks can become substantially limited.  It’s not always enough to have a locked cabinet or storage area, keys are too easily stolen and/or replicated.

With any type of healthcare it’s crucial to protect private patient information.  This means any patient files, which in todaPatient files-Alex Gorzeny’s techy world are probably being converted to digital data.  A patient’s file contains personal and private information to be shared between caregiver and patient only.  There is a heavy responsibility placed on healthcare organizations to uphold this confidentiality.  Maintaining general HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) security and privacy policy procedures may not be enough.  With the use of mobile devices, laptops, and other technology health administrators need to be conscious of where and how accessible information is.  Many doctors and other medical staff use mobile tablets to record patient information; having an access password or encryption can help, but what happens when the device is accidentally left behind or in an unprotected area?  The physical items that contain patient information should be kept in a monitored, access controlled portion of the facility.  The consequences of a HIPAA violation can be costly, even if accidental.  In fact, in the case of a “did not know” violation, the penalty can be upwards of $50,000/violation to $1.5million/year for the same violation.  It is in any healthcare organizations’ best interest to secure this private information.  The cost of a comprehensive security system is nothing compared to what the cost for lost data and damages could be.

Preventative Measures

Having a security system installed after a disastrous event can help prevent future problems, but this is a reactive approach versus proactive.  Healthcare providers have more important matters to deal with, never mind who or what is trying to wreak havoc on or in their facility.  With a comprehensive security system these worries can be significantly lessened, or avoided all together.  If planning a new facility it’s beneficial to involve a security systems company like Perfect Connections, Inc. from the start.  Our professionals can help create a more complete security solution, and avoid costly alterations after the fact.

There are numerous considerations that must be taken into account when creating a security system for a healthcare facility. Therefore, an inclusive security assessment should be performed by a licensed professional whether it’s for an existing or new structure.  A security assessment will help provide a specific solution to an individual facility’s needs.  The assessor should not only review any history of security breaches in the past, but talk with the staff to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day activity.  Once the assessment is complete they can customize a suitable system.

Nurse-COD NewsroomA custom security system is the best option because no two facilities are exactly the same; even if two buildings share the same schematics, the locations will be different, and the demographics of an area will be factored into the type of security needed.  Some commonalities between systems may include features such as access controls for visitors, patients, and staff, video surveillance and alarm monitoring.  According to Steve Nibbelink, CHPA, in regards to physical security features, “when they are part of an integrated, technology master plan, the healthcare organization can improve security and operational efficiencies, while also reducing the associated cost. In fact, in Hospital and Healthcare Security, the authors state, ‘Authorities estimate between 3 and 10 percent of hospital expenditures could be saved if proper security controls were implemented.’”  Security systems can prevent disasters from happening so healthcare professionals can take care of what matters most, their patients.

Visit Perfect Connections, Inc. to discover how decades of providing security systems solutions for healthcare facilities can benefit your organization.  We will customize a solution that best fits your facility’s needs.  We know that no two patients are exactly the same, and no two organizations operate exactly the same.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credits: Image #1 by Tristan Bowersox-Flickr-Creative Commons, Image #2 by Images Money-Flickr-Creative Commons, Image #3 by Alex Gorzen-Flickr-Creative Commons, Image #4 by COD Newsroom-Flickr-Creative Commons