Page 25 - Campus Security & Life Safety, May/June 2021

This security practice is becoming more common today than it was five years ago.
While the machines themselves have sev- eral built-in methods to catch discrepancies that may indicate diversion, the actual video footage would be called upon if an internal investigation is necessary based on discrep- ancy reports or other factors. An internal investigation could involve the head of phar- macy, the head of security, human resources, and risk management.
Network audio speakers also could be added — and have been at several major hos- pitals — simply as a deterrent to remind visi- tors that they are loitering too closely to a dis- pensing location. A hospital would set a camera containing an onboard analytic to detect loitering outside of a pharmacy. The camera would see that the person was loiter- ing for perhaps 60 seconds. It would then send an alert to a security officer, which can be helpful for officers who have to watch dozens or even hundreds of cameras. A pre-recorded message would say, “This is a restricted area; please step away.” The same security scenario could be used anywhere within a hospital, especially near emergency exits.
COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation, Sites
Security for COVID-19 vaccines may be the most complex process healthcare profession- als have had to deal with in some time — ensuring vaccines are not stolen or tampered with, ensuring there are no disturbances at vaccination sites, and ensuring vaccines are given to the right people. The key to having a successful security program is to focus
equally on people, processes and technology. The COVID-19 vaccination program rolled out in December 2020 and it has been an ad hoc logistical process involving many unusual vaccination sites, including places like county fairgrounds and sports stadiums, in additional to hospitals and pharmacies. These facilities are putting a spotlight on security, as some vaccine thefts and potential
thefts have already been reported.
To ensure the safety and security of both
healthcare professionals working at remote vaccination sites and people getting vacci- nated, a risk assessment should be conducted to address all potential threats and hazards.
The following security measures should be considered as part of the mediation strategy at remote sites:
• Install fencing around the vaccination site. • Erect barricades to impede a vehicle from
penetrating the vaccine structure.
• Use a single point of entry for persons obtaining the vaccines, and equip this entry point with barriers that create a single line
for entry.
• Set up a separate employee entrance locat-
ed away from the vaccination entrance so
it’s clear who belongs in the work area.
• Install video surveillance to monitor the patient entrance, employee entrance, wait-
ing line, dispensing area, and parking lot.
• Provide a safe refuge for staff in the event of
an adverse event.
• Consider the use of armed personnel or police
to patrol or be posted at the dispensing site. Put processes in place for emergency evacuation of staff for emergency situations or inclement weather. Staff should be given proper training on the process for reporting incidents to either police or an on-site secu- rity officer, on active-shooter prevention, and on workplace violence prevention. It is important to know how to quell any prob-
lems that could arise at the vaccination site. Put processes in place for the transporta- tion of vaccines. Video surveillance cameras should monitor vaccine shipments from the
time they arrive at a loading dock to ensure that healthcare professionals are able to track when the shipment arrives, that it has not been tampered with, and to have footage to use as a reference to the timestamps for monitoring the length of time it takes for the vaccines to go from dock to freezer.
A good recommendation for a loading dock is a 360-degree, multi-lens camera unit with a PTZ camera below it. With an inte- grated solution including a radar sensor and network audio, not only will the facility be able to video-track the actual shipment across an entire surveillance network (which could span a multi-block area), but they can create a scenario in which all of the relevant close-up detail is captured automatically by the system, regardless of whether the cam- eras are being watched.
The vaccine supply should be stored in a secure location, preferably locked and requir- ing two-person authentication. If secure stor- age is not possible, then the area should be surrounded by physical barriers to restrict access. Healthcare providers should make sure there is a process in place for transferring the vaccine supply to an alternate storage site in the event of power loss or refrigerator failure.
Dome cameras work well for the refrigera- tion units that are housing the vaccines and can include a built-in heater if needed. An access control unit with an audible alarm should be installed, as well. A network door station that combines video surveillance, two-way commu- nication and remote entry control in a single device also can provide effective protection for secured vaccination storage rooms.
The ultimate goal is trust and security.
Many people depend on the integrity of the processes that protect the drugs that are administered to them. Security professionals have a responsibility to adhere to the require- ments to warrant that trust.
Paul Baratta is the segment development manager, Healthcare, at Axis Communications Inc.
By Paul Baratta
Vaccinations Ramp Up
Putting the spotlight on drug security and how technology can aid
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