Security guards in hospitals offer an added sense of safety to medical staff and patients. Hospitals and medical clinics are open to a large number of people coming and going with little oversight. Largely considered public spaces, hospitals are susceptible to theft and confrontations.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought this issue to the light as a place for improvement with many hospitals. The pandemic forced many businesses – including medical facilities – to limit the number of people inside buildings. Your hospital staff is already stretched thin without having to police who is entering and leaving.
Trained security guards are a great way to fill this gap in staffing while providing peace of mind to staff, patients, and visitors. A security guard agency can use their specialized knowledge and skillsets to work with your hospital on security procedures that maximize safety with minimal impact on hospital accessibility.
Security Guards Have Situational Awareness
A security guard agency isn’t a separate entity within your hospital. It is an integrated branch of your medical staff. Security guards are at your facility 24/7 year-round, so they get to know the three dynamics of situational awareness as they relate to your facility. Our team of trained professionals ensures that the most efficient security protocols are in place.
First, trained security guards get to know the layout of your facilities. This allows them to respond faster to emergency calls when they need to respond to a particular area of the hospital. They can also offer precise directions to anyone needing assistance finding their way to the correct department or floor.
Trained security guards also understand patient and visitor needs. They get to know the mission, vision, and goals of your organization so that they help to answer questions and meet needs in a way that aligns with your expectations. They know that emotions often run high if patients and visitors face unknown health issues and have the empathy to help appropriately.
When situations do get out of their control, trained security guards understand the levels of escalation. From crowding to threats to weather issues, they know who to reach in hospital management, security supervisors, and even police.
Hospitals Can Establish a Comprehensive Strategy for Emergencies
Our trained guards know that they have to expect the unexpected. They don’t know what emergencies they will face each day, but extensive training means that they are prepared no matter what. They regularly walk through various crisis scenarios and come up with a hypothetical response plan.
We review the plan together as a team to look for areas of improvement. We consider all of the “what-ifs” and strive to improve our techniques and be as prepared as possible no matter what happens. Part of this is being able to differentiate between real threats and false alarms.
They know when a true emergency is happening and can diffuse situations fast before they escalate into full-blown emergencies. They know that the best way to address a concern is by acting proactively, eliminating a problem before it even begins.
To help with this, our trained security guards go through regular firearms training and testing in preparation for security services. They are prepared to use their weapons responsibly if needed, but they also know that in most situations, a firearm isn’t necessary. Their goal is to gain control swiftly without needing to discharge a firearm.
Security Guards Can Work in Tandem with Local Authorities in Emergencies
Hospital staff face tough situations every day that require an immediate response. When trained security guards are on-site, they can take over emergency management so that staff can focus on their jobs. Instead of being the second line of defense, they’re the first. If a situation requires additional help, they can call local authorities to intervene and assist.
Local authorities can also help to close off portions of a hospital building as needed in response to COIVD-19 concerns. One example includes limiting the number of doors available for visitors to use when they enter and exit the buildings.
In another scenario, your hospital may have a visitor that poses a threat to the staff and patients. Our security guards can detain the individual and contact local authorities for their removal from the premises. If necessary, local authorities can issue a trespass warning that prohibits the person from coming back to cause trouble again.
Security Guards Ensure the Protection of Valuable Assets
Honesty and integrity are the foundation of everything we do. You can trust our trained security guards to help protect valuable assets as needed in your hospital. We vet our team thoroughly to ensure that only the highest quality individuals work within security roles. Private security guards are routinely entrusted with the protection of valuable assets.
Hospitals often have restricted areas where there is valuable equipment, medication, and medical records that cannot be accessed by the public. Trained security guards know where these areas are in the hospital. They ensure that only authorized personnel are allowed to enter.
One of their security procedures is to monitor these areas by walking through them regularly to make sure nothing is out of place. If there are any red flags that something is amiss, they contact the appropriate management to address their concerns.
Security Guards have Effective Leadership and Communication Skills
Our trained security guards are not just there to present an image of security. They are empowered by the knowledge and skills needed to act in all situations. Their authority commands the attention of anyone involved in an emergency situation as they take charge and diffuse any threats.
Communication is one of the most important factors in working through an emergency situation. They understand the importance of acting quickly and providing clear directions to anyone around. Our trained security guards know that in some cases, that means taking a step back and listening to another person’s concerns.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that hospital security guards provide valuable security services through their role. Ready to staff your hospital with professionally trained security guards? Contact us now to learn more.
