Providing Security Solutions to Healthcare Facilities

When Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, reassessed its safety and security programs and technology, it chose a G4S solution

The Challenge

Baptist Hospital is a 492-bed tertiary care hospital with a full range of emergency, medical, surgical and obstetrical services. During recent years, the hospital has expanded its services on a medical campus that includes several buildings, a variety of medical specialty capabilities and critical care units including coronary, trauma, behavioral health, oncology and obstetrics.

In 2010, Baptist Hospital administration decided it was time to update its safety and security programs and technology to reflect the advancements in its world-class medical care.The hospital also wanted to consider adding armed security officers to selected areas.

"Just as the hospital has been advancing its healthcare services, it was now time for us to look for ways to grow and upgrade our security systems as well," said Doug Lurton, Baptist Hospital Director of Clinical and Support Services.

In addition to the diverse needs at the Baptist Hospital campus, the Baptist Health Care Network also required safety and security operations at several other facilities including the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Baptist Medical Park and Gulf Breeze Hospital.

Along with focusing on traditional safety and security needs for patients, staff and visitors within the hospital campus, administrators also needed a security company that could perform parking patrols, escorts for staff, locked-box pharmaceutical transportation and patient watch assistance in its Behavioral Health Services unit.

The Solution

In March 2011, Baptist Hospital officials turned to G4S for its enterprise level total solutions services.

"Our first priority was establishing a partnership atmosphere and providing a security survey for Baptist Hospital administration," said Patrick Dawson, G4S General Manager, Pensacola. "First, we listened to Baptist Hospital about their challenges and then we initiated our analysis by identifying areas of concern and then developing a total solution."

Most importantly,G4S established a project manager within the hospital, who became an in-house point of contact for Baptist Hospital officials. Having a security manager on-site created a true partnership atmosphere, solving any real time or future planning issues ...

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