Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/282968
19 SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE • February/March 2014 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com even further." Experts expect a rise in patient volume as more people seek treatment once they become insured. There is potential for health systems to become overwhelmed as a result of the overstretched staff, reduced supplies and increased costs. Hospitals might have to review their visitor management and access control systems, as well as update their training and policies to compensate for the increase of patients and longer wait times. "In order to be more adequately prepared, healthcare security leaders have challenged themselves with identifying and preparing more efficient ways to accomplish our goals should significant changes occur, all while not compromising the integrity of our programs," said Osborne. Secur ity professionals mig ht also be brought into projects not traditionally under their realm. A provision of the ACA states that insurance reimbursements are tied, in part, to a hospital's patient satisfaction data. Communications and life safety technolo- gies are vital to improving a patient's overall experience. Technologies such as nurse call systems and real-time patient locating will be in the spotlight. Furthermore, life safety sys- tems will need to be integrated into the over- all hospital system. Other departments will lean on the security department to help them implement changes and improve their patient satisfaction data. Active Shooter: On top of budgetary and regulation issues, healthcare security profes- sionals contend with the day-to-day threats that face their facilities, with a major concern continuing to be an active shooter scenar- io. According to research by Brad Heath and Meghan Hoyer of USA Today, mass shootings occur once every two weeks in the U.S. While the chances are slim, it is imperative that hospitals have sufficient security technology, disaster plans and training to handle such a situation. Partnering with local law enforce- ment, as well as running mock events, is abso- lutely necessary and the best way to identify security weaknesses. Issues hospitals often discover when running these events there is a lack of complete video surveillance coverage or insufficient manpower. This lack of man- power is especially noticeable when running two or more events simultaneously, common- ly referred to as a Dual Event scenario. Drug Diversion: Drug diversion will also be at the forefront of issues facing the indus- try in 2014. Hospitals and pharmacies are becoming targets for those seeking narcotics. Moreover, a hospital employee, not an out- sider, often commits the diversion. Controlled substances are not the only medications peo- ple are after; regular prescription drugs are targets, especially the more expensive ones. Large-scale thefts will usually result in a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) investigation and negative press. Security executives must make sure there is proper access control on all drug storage areas and video surveillance of all human/drug interactions facilitywide. It is also crucial to have appropriate drug handling policies and procedures in place. There needs to be a system of checks and balances in place for employees handling medications. One per- son should not be in charge of the whole cycle from loading the medication distributor to administering them to the patient. Emerging technologies and trends Consolidation: The nature of hospital security systems and installation projects is changing because the industry is going through a period of rapid consolidation. Large conglomerates are purchasing smaller hospi- tals, creating extensive multicampus health- care networks. These networks will seek enterprise-level systems and service packages that are standardized across all facilities. As can be expected, such installations will be more expensive and complex than the current industry average. Even though 2014 budgets will be tight, these conglomerates will strive to implement their business plans. Project money will be there for manufacturers and integrators, but there will be more pressure to deliver cost-effective solutions. Furthermore, Healthcare facilities are having to step up their security game with stricter compliance require- ments and increased threats. Technology is keeping pace with smart cards, biomet- rics and NFC devices to create a more secure environment. STE_18-21_0314 Barbour CoverStory HlthCare.indd 19 3/14/14 11:11 AM