Hospitals should be a place for healing, not attacks. Learn why security needs to be added outside the buildings and how LVT is helping.
Recently, my body gave me one of those dreaded 3:00 AM wake-up calls. You know the type—you bolt up in bed drenched in sweat with a stabbing pain in your stomach and think, “There’s no way I’m getting out of bed at this hour.” But your body has other ideas. Soon enough, you’re hobbling your way to your car, frantically trying to find the nearest in-network emergency room (ER), barely keeping it together.
During my short stay in the ER, I was overwhelmingly grateful for the staff who treated me with kindness, patience, and empathy, despite the dreadful working hours. Luckily, my diagnosis was not life-threatening, but not every patient is so lucky. Our healthcare workers save lives. Day or night, rain or shine, they’re there to protect us.
Which brings me to my question: Who protects the people and properties that protect us?
A career in the healthcare industry isn’t for the fainthearted. Aside from the long hours and high-stress nature of the industry, hospitals and medical facilities are magnets for violent crime and injuries. The statistics speak for themselves:
It’s not just the hospital personnel who are at risk, though. In general, there are over 35 million hospital admissions across the country yearly—and that doesn’t include visitors who come and go at all hours of the day. With so much foot traffic, it’s not surprising that hospitals and medical facilities are vulnerable crime targets. The risks are top-of-mind for many Americans. Studies show that:
Patients and personnel thrive and facilities run smoothly when security is a top priority. Proper surveillance ensures that everyone wins except the criminals.
Personnel well-being directly impacts patient care. When healthcare workers are injured, become ill due to workplace hazards, or are mentally unstable due to an unsafe work environment, patient care suffers. When medical personnel are injured due to occupational hazards, they may need to take time off work, which can lead to staffing shortages and affect the quality of patient care. Additionally, healthcare workers who are injured may not be able to perform certain procedures or tasks, which can impact the timeliness and effectiveness of patient care.
Lack of security leads to costly repairs and liabilities. While security and surveillance solutions require an investment, the lack thereof can be far more costly. First and foremost, there’s general workplace safety to consider. Organizations have a responsibility to protect their staff and patients; failure to properly monitor a facility can result in hefty fines. Theft or damage of property can also result in costly legal fees, settlements, and property repairs. If an organization fails to secure its assets and property, it could face legal consequences for losses suffered by its stakeholders.
Poor security leads to a bad reputation. Workplace safety is an important factor in the reputation of hospitals and medical clinics. A workplace with a reputation for safety is more likely to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Furthermore, studies show that:
So, what’s the solution? Of course, access control systems and alarms go a long way. But with so many people entering and exiting medical facilities day in and day out, you’ve got to think outside the box—literally. Safety starts outside of the building. In 2021, U.S. parking lots saw a total of:
By securing the perimeter and implementing safety and surveillance measures outside of the building, medical facilities can decrease crime and ensure patient and personnel safety.
While you might not have the time—or security team—to keep eyes on your lot 24/7, you can invest in a solution that will do the monitoring for you. That’s where LiveView Technologies (LVT) comes in. The mere presence of a LVT unit in a parking lot can decrease incidents by up to 70%.
1. LVT Units Deter Criminal Activity
The presence of surveillance cameras in parking lots can deter criminal activity such as theft, trespassing, vandalism, and carjacking. Criminals are less likely to commit a crime if they know they are being watched and recorded.
2. LVT Units Improve Safety
The right surveillance solution creates a safe and secure environment for patients and personnel as they approach and exit your facility. They can monitor for potential safety hazards such as slippery surfaces or poorly lit areas. This is especially important since hospital patients tend to be physically vulnerable (you don’t usually have much mental capacity to think about outside threats when your body is attacking itself).
3. LVT Units Enhance Existing Security Solutions
Setting up a single surveillance unit allows you to multiply your efforts without adding members to your team. This provides an added layer of security in parking lots and helps existing security personnel respond quickly to any potential threats. And by reacting to incidents quickly, you can minimize negative consequences like property damage.
4. Proper Security and Surveillance Reduce Liability
It’s unfortunate, but some incidents are inevitable. That being said, prosecuting is a lot easier if you have proof of what happened. Surveillance units have a superpower—they don’t blink. By setting up a surveillance unit, you can capture 24/7 footage and record proof of any incidents that occur, which helps reduce liability for property owners or managers.
The best part is that LVT security systems can be set up quickly—we're talking minutes—no internet, wires, or power required. At LVT, we believe that your security solution should make your life easier, not add frustration to your plate.
Learn how LVT can help you discover threats, deter crime, and defend your property here.
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