4.25.25 – SSI
The technological progress we’ve seen over the past five years has opened doors for security integrators working with healthcare facilities
The healthcare industry is facing a more challenging landscape than ever before. Persistent staffing shortages, growing patient volumes, rising cyber exposure and dwindling resources have strained facility operations to their limits, challenging integrators in healthcare spaces to think laterally about addressing these complex, interconnected issues. Increasingly, these lateral ideas are being brought into reality.
The technological progress we’ve seen over the past five years has opened doors for integrators working with healthcare facilities that are looking to mitigate the impacts of understaffing and rising security demands. In line with this progress, there is growing awareness that solutions with the most impact are often those that address tangential contributors rather than tackling the most obvious issues.
We are now seeing solutions being developed that automate backend workflows and optimize operations, moving away from flashy patient-facing tools and ultimately improving patient care.
Impact of Smart Security Systems in Healthcare
Security practices provide a compelling example of this idea in action. Traditionally, access control systems have relied heavily on manual measures: physical keys, security personnel, and written logbooks. While those systems have protected patients and staff for decades, they are no longer the most efficient option and often do not comply to or leverage the latest standards.
With labor in high demand and patient populations growing, the costs are beginning to outweigh the benefits, requiring security professionals to meet growing demands from healthcare leaders for efficient, effective solutions.
Artificial intelligence-enabled, connected security solutions provide a lifeline amid these challenges. Through leveraging new solutions, integrators are equipping hospitals and other care facilities to not just manage but enhance security practices without adding to headcounts—a critical point, given the labor challenges the industry faces. Today’s smart security systems can automate:
- Identity verification to safeguard sensitive data, controlled areas and critical resources.
- Ongoing monitoring, particularly during peak patient volume periods.
- Incident identification and response, ensuring potential issues are swiftly addressed without disruptions to patient care or facility operations.
Further, there is an increasing focus on delivering systems that can collaborate with human on-site teams to handle security-related tasks faster and more accurately– but what does this look like in practice?
Physical Threats in Healthcare
Let’s say a patient wanders into the hallway instead of remaining in their room. A smart video surveillance system, trained to identify anomalies like these, can alert the appropriate staff member as it’s happening, saving valuable time, and making it easier for carers to intervene. In the event that patient falls while staff are locating them, the system can send an additional alert to ensure that carers are aware of changes to the situation and prepared to render aid.
Digital Threats in Healthcare
Healthcare facilities continue to face cyber threats, including malware and ransomware attacks on systems, which can compromise sensitive patient data. Automated monitoring systems can flag suspicious activity in real-time, control access and permissions more stringently and regularly update practices to adhere to evolving compliance standards.
Security integrators are helping facilities meet today’s healthcare security challenges by moving toward frictionless, integrated systems, while also enhancing scalability and the ability of on-site teams to monitor in real time. Organizations can quickly detect unauthorized access, improve incident response times, and better protect patient safety and experience.
How Automation Improves Change Management
Transforming the way the industry thinks about AI-enabled systems—whether for security, customer service or anything else—is the key to unlocking the next era of patient care. However, as organizations adopt new technologies to overcome barriers to quality care, getting staff and patients to do the same may be a significant challenge.
Despite the holistic benefits these options offer, concerns about responsible implementation and use of AI remain top of mind. Integrators developing and delivering systems for healthcare facilities need to:
- Emphasize the day-to-day benefit – of routine tasks such as surveillance, alerts, and incident reporting allow security personnel to focus on critical functions, improving response times and reducing risk of human error.
- Open lines of communication – help drive informed decision-making across facilities to provide the best care of patients accurately and effectively.
- Invest in training – understanding the latest skills and knowledge, allows for not only better patient and facility outcomes but maintains and exceeds compliance with best practices beyond standard protocols.
- Prioritize transparency – ensure that healthcare security teams receive comprehensive training and robust support for recently integrated security measures
To successfully integrate AI-enabled systems and unlock the new era of patient care, we are seeing implementation of technological solutions being balanced with the necessary communication, education, and training. This ensures both staff and patients can utilize these innovations responsibly and effectively.
Outlooks on the Future
By taking a proactive approach to integrating and educating around healthcare security solutions, integrators not only help to safeguard the physical element of healthcare but also contribute to a facility’s operational efficiency, allowing healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality care. Physical security innovations build trust, ensuring that everyone within a building feels confident that their safety and well-being are prioritized throughout their entire journey.
Faisal Pandit is the president of global controls and security systems for Johnson Controls.