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Let's face it, most buildings over 15 years old were not built with the security threats in mind we face today. In fact, the design of most public buildings, including hospitals, was antithetical to the needs of buildings in today's world. Does this mean we should tear our building down and start from scratch?
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a discipline that seeks to integrate principles of design as well as compliment security technology. CPTED principals seek to take advantage of natural access control, natural surveillance, and territorial reinforcement.
CPTED allows the legitimate users of space to feel secure while making it uncomfortable for interlopers. All too often security remedies are driven by the bias of the decision-maker who is unduly influenced by a clever vendor. Many security programs reflect these preconceived notions. Some place heavy emphasis on the use of security personnel (security guards), while others show a preference for electronic solutions. In either case, the blending of a wide range of approaches is lacking . Integration is nonexistent with no apparent overall security master plan. In both cases, there is often little or no consideration for architectural design, threat assessment, and exterior geography.
The ideal time to apply CPTED principles is during the early design phase. However, it is not too late to apply these principles during a security upgrade or retrofit. An effective security design must consider layout and the best application of technology, both intended to maximize the use an effectiveness of manpower. This construct is best illustrated by the SMSI Security Solution Hierarchy (see The Security Solution Hierarchy at www.smsiinc.com).
CPTED principles can be applied to the control of pedestrian foot traffic as well as to vehicular traffic flow. It can affect visitor control. CPTED consideration can affect the placement of CCTV and integrate it will the effective use of lighting.
Security must be holistic in its design. There should be a balance among g security design, security equipment, security personnel, and interactive human factors. A Security Consultant who has expertise in the application of CPTED principles can be very cost beneficial to any hospital. Today, when even the choice of landscaping can be of crucial importance to the overall success of the facility's security design, a knowledgeable CPTED-qualified security professional can be very helpful. Landscaping can affect the way patients and employees feel about where they are required to park. Landscaping can have a direct impact on the use and effectiveness of exterior lighting. The improper use of trees and shrubs may inadvertently provide cover for criminal behavior. The result will be the maintenance of a user-friendly, attractive environment without sacrificing those important feature that ensure security for the facility, the assets, and all people.
The messages from 9/11 are that you must pay attention, and you must reevaluate. This does not mean that draconian measures are required. Use the construct implicit in the Security Solution Hierarchy (see pop -up at www.smsiinc.com) as a blueprint. Evaluate the totality of the security program and apply the least expense remedies first. Then step back and see where you stand. When deciding on countermeasures, choose those that integrate and reinforce measures already in place. Apply CPTED principles to the existing environment as well as to future designs. When reassessing the security program, evaluate how much police support will be forthcoming under a worst case scenario. The day a new security program is in place and fully implemented, it begins to become obsolete. Therefore, computer-based incident tracking as well as daily activity tracking is essential. Security programs must continually be tweaked and readjusted in order to meet an ever changing environment.
It may be very difficult to meet these objectives without qualified professional security management. In today's world, security standards of care are moving targets. The technology that can best address local security challenges is also in a rapid state of transition. Every two to three years, the hospital should obtain a CAP Index Crimecast Report as a supplement to data available from local police jurisdictions. If your hospital is undergoing design changes or is contemplating expansion, insist that your architectural firm is working hand in glove with a Board Certified Protection Professional with health care expertise. Remember the preferred hospital design goals of the recent past are now, in many cases, antithetical to the security needs of today's health care facility.
Any security assessment t, as well as the security remedies adopted, should elicit the buy-in of the clinical staff, especially nursing supervisors. For example, the nursing supervisors who actually run the hospital 128 hours per week and have points of view that reflect the realities they must deal with on a daily basis. They understand the problems of liberal access policies, security response capability, and internal theft. They are responsible for the facility at a time that is most likely to produce security breeches. The ER is likely to be required to deal with impaired patients and visitors. There is a greater likelihood that these nursing supervisors will be required to deal with the full range of problems that may accompany the treatment of patients who are victims of violent crime.
Remember, when it comes to security, the line between perception and reality is often blurred. It is very important that perception and reality become one and the same. This is extremely important from a risk management perspective. For example, if reality indicates the security program is good while the prevailing perception is that the program is poor, subsequent security incidents are much more likely to produce litigation. It is important that the overall security program is up to standard, and that most patients, visitors and employees believe they are in a safe and secure environment. CPTED has the ability to tie the disparate components of a security program together. CPTED has the best chance to influence perception.
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