Accutech Introduces Security Audit Consulting Services

June 4, 2012. Franklin, WI - Accutech Security today announced consulting services to assess the security and readiness of healthcare facilities through evaluation of current safety measures including electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), on-site security personnel and established procedures. Audits include recommendations to streamline security operations through a variety of technologies including current RFID security systems and protocol suggestions to ensure the safety of all facility staff and patients/residents.

Most hospitals and birthing centers use child abduction prevention systems that trigger alerts when a newborn baby or toddler get too close to an exit or restricted area. Maternity ward administrators must ensure that the babies entrusted to their care are safe and secure from a variety of threats - including abduction. In 2009, an infant abduction at a hospital in Santa Barbara, CA led to a $50,000 fine. Fortunately, this baby was recovered in under four hours through a rapid and coordinated effort by local police and hospital staff, but it provides an excellent example of how improper security precautions can lead to an infant abduction.

“As an industry leader in the development and manufacture of infant protection, wander management and pediatric elopement technology for more than 25 years, Accutech is uniquely
qualified to assess the implementation and integration of healthcare security systems and provide expert guidance to facilities concerned about the effectiveness and reliability of their current security measures.” said Josh Williams, President and CEO of Accutech Security.

Approximately a year after the Cuddles infant protection system (an RFID electronic security system designed specifically to maintain safety of babies in obstetric and pediatric departments) was installed in the Family Center at Montrose Memorial Hospital in Colorado, the facility conducted an audit of the system. Other than the director and one security officer, no one else on the hospital staff was aware of the event to ensure an accurate environment for the test. In place of an actual infant an adult female volunteer was fitted with a security band around her wrist, given a large bag and instructed to leave the maternity floor.

The Cuddles infant protection system was activated as she approached an exit, triggering an alarm and automatically locking the door. One critical feature of the Cuddles system is that it identifies the exact door so there is no confusion or lost time. Security and nursing staff immediately confronted the volunteer because she was carrying a large bag that could easily conceal an infant. A hospital-wide “Code Pink” was issued as the volunteer continued into the main hospital area. She was stopped swiftly and repeatedly by both hospital staff and security officers and never made it to the outside entrance. The audit was an immediate success. According to Coral Ann Hackett, the Director of the Family Center, “It was perfect. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.

While most hospitals and birthing centers have electronic security systems in place to protect the safety of the patients in their care, audits to assess the readiness of a facility’s staff and systems are a fundamental part of ensuring this safety. With over twenty-five years of experience developing, manufacturing, and installing RFID healthcare related security systems, Accutech Security now offers this expertise to hospitals and birthing centers in the form of security consulting/audit services to assess current safety protocols including electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), on-site security personnel and established procedures.

About Accutech

Accutech has engineered, manufactured, distributed and serviced radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless products since 1985. They are an industry leader in the infant protection, resident wandering and pediatric elopement fields, with ongoing development, implementation and integration of healthcare related security systems. Their markets primarily consist of hospitals, birthing centers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing homes, sub-acute facilities and even residential homes. All Accutech systems are manufactured in the U.S., and backed by the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program.