MDNews - Mid Penn

at Large on the board for IAHSS. "If it's the opposite — if they don't know where they're going, they can't find a parking spot and they don't know what door to go in — they experience increased stress and anxiety levels, which can affect their health and interactions with employees." Signs should also deter criminal activity by stating expectations for behavior and promoting the realization that security is a priority for the organization. LIGHTING Newer LED lights are less expensive to operate once installed and provide greater illumination than older, high-pressure sodium bulbs. Smith recommends hospitals verify that parking lot lighting levels adhere to standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and IAHSS. Sometimes, however, it ta kes only a fresh coat of paint to brighten surroundings. "One facility that was seeing an increase in complaints due to dark conditions in the parking garage considered installing additional cameras and converting all lighting in the parking structure to LEDs," says Ken Bukowski, Vice President of Vertical Markets at security services provider Allied Universal. "Then the ceiling and walls on one floor of the parking garage were painted white as a test, and no additional lights or camera upgrades were needed because the paint reflected enough light to solve the lighting problem. Criminal activity decreased by over 40 percent." MAINTENANCE Ensuring that existing security devices are well-maintained and functional is essential before installing pricey new technology. "Every quarter, someone should evaluate the lighting and tech- nological devices, such as the blue emergency call boxes used at many hospitals," Smith says. "I do site assessments all over the country. I can just about flip a coin, and half the time these call boxes don't work or the folks on the other end of the line don't know how to react. You could have the best-designed systems out there, but you will be wasting your time if the systems are not maintained." Smith also recommends evaluating landscaping annually when vegetation is at its peak. Overgrown trees and bushes block cameras and lighting and create hiding spaces for criminals. SECURITY PERSONNEL OPTIMIZATION Healthcare facilities can increase the visibility and effectiveness of security personnel without hiring more staff. Rather than have security patrol parking lots 24/7, for instance, it is smart to time patrols with shift changes. "Being highly visible to staff during shift changes is a benefit. They can see security there, which improves safety, as well as the perception of safety," White says. "One of the ways to simplify that process is to assign staff parking based on shifts. Try to get all night shift employees to park in the same area, for instance, so security doesn't have to cover every parking lot. It can be a real challenge trying to get staff to change their parking habits, but it has a big impact and is cost-effective." n " We may not diagnose or treat patients, but security professionals are a significant part of the care team. We're typically the first people patients and visitors see when they come in and the last people they see as they leave. We can see their moods and the potential levels of stress and anxiety they're feeling, and we have the ability to mitigate those factors. We [can] provide information to caregivers that helps them better care for patients." — PAUL M. SARNESE, CHPA, MSE, CPM, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR SAFETY, SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AT VIRTUA HEALTH M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S M I D - P E N N ■ 2 019 1 5

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