High-tech sentinels. The role of equipment in an overall security effort.

Hospital security is often overlooked or insufficiently addressed during the planning and design phase of a health care construction project; yet hospitals face security threats on many levels and security must address many aspects of a hospital including patients, staff, visitors, buildings and grounds. Many hospitals install stand-alone systems for infant security, perimeter access and closed-circuit television. These are steps in the right direction, but by stepping back from the individual systems and taking a more global look, it is possible to design and install security systems that are scalable, integrated and that enhance the security environment. Such efforts can reduce costs and mitigate exposure to criminal activity, allowing caregivers to focus on helping patients heal.