Why Integrated Access Control Has Become Essential in Healthcare

Healthcare facilities provide critical care and medical services around the clock. In addition to caring for patients, healthcare facilities must also effectively protect patients, staff, and property from both physical and digital security threats. This article examines the key considerations in developing an innovative security system for a healthcare facility and the value of integrated access control solutions for this critical industry.

Vulnerable Spaces in Healthcare Settings

Understanding the specific concerns and vulnerabilities of a facility is critical to properly securing it, and that process begins with examining the various types of spaces one may encounter in a medical setting. Healthcare spaces can vary significantly in shape, size, and purpose: for example, a hospice center or nursing home may have considerably different needs than an urgent care facility or hospital.

A space many healthcare facilities share is the waiting room: an area open to the public where incoming patients and visitors can first enter and access the services provided. Waiting rooms pose a unique challenge for security providers, as they must balance security with a welcoming environment.

Other common areas in medical facilities include storage spaces, where critical care resources are kept. This can range from pharmaceuticals to critical medical instruments and devices. To protect important and costly resources, access to these storage spaces must be limited to authorized individuals only. Furthermore, as spaces that store highly regulated substances, pharmacies in particular must meet a range of security and auditing requirements set out by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).

Server rooms, IT closets, and medical record storage spaces are additional areas that need to be strictly secured in healthcare facilities. If access is not limited to authorized personnel, healthcare spaces pose a risk of data leaks and critical medical, personal, and financial information falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, the proper management and protection of patient records are mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), so protecting spaces that house this sensitive information is necessary.

Lastly, there are the areas where actual medical services are provided: operating rooms, neonatal intensive care units, emergency rooms, obstetrics rooms, and more. Due to the sensitive nature of procedures in these areas, facilities must ensure that access is carefully monitored and restricted to authorized personnel only. Unauthorized visitors entering these spaces could result in serious issues, such as theft, equipment damage, or interrupted medical procedures.

Bridging the Gap Between Proactive and Reactive Security

In a critical space such as a healthcare facility, it’s imperative that security systems cover all angles, both proactive and reactive strategies. Security devices can often be divided into two categories: (1) proactive solutions that attempt to prevent security incidents from happening in the first place, and (2) reactive solutions that help organizations respond to a security incident after, or while, it takes place. Rather than relying on one or the other, healthcare organizations benefit most from a unified approach that combines proactive and reactive security.

As a technology that allows users to control and monitor entry and egress within their space, access control is traditionally a proactive solution; it seeks to prevent unauthorized entry and actions in the first place. Alternatively, a solution such as a video management system (VMS) is often viewed as a reactive tool, since it can provide critical video footage to help security staff address an incident after it has occurred. By using these technologies in unison, security teams can have a well-rounded approach to managing their property.

For example, a healthcare facility may have access control in place for a room where patient records are stored. If a former employee attempted to enter that space using their old, deactivated credential, the access control system would record the denied entry event and notify security staff promptly. And when integrated with a video management tool, that access event can be paired directly with corresponding video footage, allowing security staff to review the situation and determine exactly what happened, no guesswork or reliance on eyewitness statements.

Security That Doesn’t Impede Operations

Operational efficiency is critical in healthcare — in some medical spaces, lost minutes can lead to lost lives. Because of this, security mechanisms shouldn’t create any kind of complications or roadblocks that could threaten the operational efficiency of space.

When it comes to physical security efficiency, one of the largest conversations today is about the value of mobile credentials. Mobile credentials are digital keys that allow users to access a secure space using their personal mobile device. These credentials can replace physical credentials — cards, key fobs, stickers, wristbands, etc. — which are typically at risk of being stolen, duplicated, lost, or forgotten. By incorporating mobile credentials, healthcare professionals don’t need to worry about remembering or tracking down physical credentials, something that can seriously slow them down in urgent situations.

System downtimes and power losses are also important considerations. In the event of a power loss or network error, healthcare spaces should use access control solutions with backup batteries and controller continuity to keep operating during outages.

The Connection Between Physical and Digital Security

It is critical to secure any space in a medical facility that contains information technology, data storage, or sensitive records. Weak physical access control systems can enable external and internal actors to access a critical space without proper authorization, allowing them to view, distribute, or tamper with sensitive information, all of which would directly violate HIPAA requirements. This is an issue that many healthcare spaces throughout the United States have faced in recent years. In its 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon identified 1,367 digital security incidents in healthcare facilities. Of those 1,367 incidents, an estimated 70% resulted from internal threats, actions taken by healthcare employees that directly resulted in the improper distribution of information.

Therefore, to protect employee and patient information, the first step is to implement a reliable access control solution that creates a physical barrier to areas where sensitive information is stored.

The Value of Access Control in Healthcare

To protect patients, volunteers, staff, and resources in a healthcare facility, security administrators need a reliable system that enables them to consistently control and monitor physical access. Furthermore, by implementing an access control system that integrates with third-party technologies, such as video management systems, healthcare facilities can adopt a security strategy that not only helps prevent security incidents but also empowers security personnel to respond effectively in the rare event that they do occur. By adopting an integrated access control approach, healthcare providers can rest assured they will continue to deliver their critical services without disruption.