The Security Survey: Is Your Security Program Budget Driven, Regulatory Agency Driven Or Need Driven?

SMSI Staff Writer

08.01.03

Hospital security programs often exist for the wrong reasons. If these programs are not implemented for the wrong reasons, through evolution, they are often sustained for the wrong reasons. If your Hospital Security Program fits these descriptions, it's time for a reality check.

Why do so many security programs take on the attributes described by the Peter Principal, by evolving to a level of inefficiency? There are a number of potential explanations. First, many security programs have been built over a periods years by reacting to a number of crises thereby resembling a patch-work quilt. Second, many hospitals have sought the panacea of hiring an ex police officer untrained in areas of security and loss prevention. Third, security managers who have not kept abreast of technology and have responded to security problems by throwing more bodies at those problems, a very costly countermeasure. Fourth, security programs have not inculcated the sound business practices required today's health care environment. Finally, the security program has never had an objective analysis in order to ensure it's effectiveness and relevance.