4 Main Reasons to Have a Security Guard at Healthcare Facilities

Physical Violence: According to National Institute for Occupational Safe and Health (NIOSH), hospitals, healthcare facilities and social service workers face significant risk of job-related violence. Over the years, the rates of physical violence in any healthcare facility have increased. From patients to visitors, hospital employees are often subject to threats and assaults. The presence of a security guard will deter potential offenders from committing these acts because they know that they have a high probability of getting caught.

Theft and Criminal Activity: Hospitals and healthcare facilities are common targets for vandalism and petty theft. For these reasons alone, it is important to have tight security. The presence of security guards will deter theft and ensure that attempted thieves are caught before they get away.

In addition to petty theft, medications are stolen from hospitals, which is a more serious crime. Child abductions are unfortunately a common occurrence in hospitals as well. Because there is so much traffic gong in and out of the hospitals, it is easy for a perpetrator to sneak infants/children out of the hospital undetected.

 Control and Monitor: Having a security guard posted at entrances and exits will improve security immensely. If a suspicious person enters the healthcare facility, a trained security guard is much more likely to notice than the average person. They can take the appropriate measures, whether it be following the person, talking to the person, or making sure those operating the surveillance system keep an eye on the person. Either way, the security guard will have visual contact on the person.

Protecting the Healthcare Facility Reputation: A healthcare security guard will be on property to handle any situation as soon as it arises. By doing so, he or she can protect the Healthcare’s reputation by ensuring that everyone in the vicinity know how and when the facility will respond to tense situations. All patients, visitors and medical staff will come to know that the security guard will be there to handle any problem before it has the chance to escalate. Prompt service keeps clinic’s reputation intact.