Roy Buckingham, Regional Specification Development Manager at Abloy UK, discusses the latest innovations in access control solutions to secure healthcare environments.
A holistic approach to access control is vital in healthcare environments. Consideration must be given to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors, while ensuring free movement and compliance to fire and escape door standards.
To minimise risk, a seamless, integrated, and holistic solution is needed for access control and medicine management. Mechatronic and electronic key-based door cylinders are the ideal solution, as well as the use of mobile credentials.
A fully integrated solution allows multiple systems to be managed in a single platform, including hard-wired doors and wall readers, wireless online or offline door locksets, and self-powered electronic door cylinders.
Integration of electric locking also provides increased security and compliance with fire safety regulations and escape standards such as BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125.
It is essential that healthcare organisations seek advice from a trusted advisor to guide on the specification of the most appropriate solution to meet individual requirements. So, what solutions are available and how can they be implemented to provide a holistic approach?
Abloy solutions
Web-based access control solution, PROTEC2 CLIQ allows for the remote management of disparate or large electronic master-keyed sites at any time, from anywhere in the world.
It also provides comprehensive audit trails on locks and padlocks and the ability to remove lost or stolen keys from the system, providing tight key management.
PROTEC2 CLIQ incorporates proprietary chip technology in the keys and locks as well as connectivity to the cloud. This securely stores important data, enabling the key to communicate each time it is used in a lock, which creates a valuable audit trail to record every time a key was used, or access attempted.
The system is also available with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) keys, which can be enabled or validated via a smartphone or tablet, and access rights can be granted to the user ‘onsite’.
Alternatively, SMARTairTM is a wireless access control system that provides advanced, user-friendly access management with multiple credential options such as key cards, fobs and smartphones.
The intuitive management software allows system managers to control, identify and update exactly who can open every door, with an instant overview of the site’s security status. It can also help fulfil fire and escape compliance requirements, and is ideal for use in high traffic healthcare environments such as hospitals.
IncedoTM Business is another security ecosystem that combines ASSA ABLOY’s range of wireless locks and other access hardware with flexible software, multiple management options and the ability to scale on demand, in any direction.
Incedo offers the ability to have complete remote control of a premises and manage the movement of people across multiple sites. What’s more, Incedo Mobile Keys offer secure mobile access, simplified management and user convenience and efficiency.
Incedo Offline is an extension to the system that allows access to be managed both in real-time and offline at the same premises, providing even greater control and flexibility.
Raigmore Hospital
Abloy UK supplied NHS Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, with the eCLIQ® electromechanical solution for their on-site facilities management and security.
The sheer size of the hospital estate requires a large facilities management team to oversee building maintenance and environmental services. Plant rooms, high and low voltage rooms and roof hatches are accessed daily to maintain the building – along with a helipad that needs securing and opening when air ambulance need to land.
NHS Raigmore approached Abloy UK to discuss a key management solution that would meet the latest regulations, has the capability to monitor the use of keys and can easily revoke access from lost or stolen keys.
Abloy UK recommended eCLIQ®, a web-based locking and key management solution. The system was installed throughout the estate, with 82 locks fitted by Raigmore’s facilities management team and 42 keys issued to staff and contractors. Installation was easy as the cylinders do not require a power output.
Colin McEwen, Design Lead – Estate Management, NHS Raigmore, said: “New legislation required connectivity of assets. Abloy suggested eCLIQ® as a solution, and the mechanical locks combined with the benefits that connectivity offers have proved a great asset to the hospital.
“Previously, when a key gets lost, the only way to ensure security was maintained was to change our cylinders. eCLIQ® has negated this, saving us money and time. We have set access to coincide with staff shift-patterns and any attempted access out of these times is revoked. The system has also made it easier to see who is accessing rooms.
“We found the cylinders easy to install, and the support provided by Abloy has helped us transition smoothly to this electromechanical system.”
Content provided by Roy Buckingham, Regional Specification Development Manager at Abloy UK.
For further information on products and services available from Abloy, visit https://bit.ly/3SEQ9Sp call 01902 364 500, or email info@abloy.co.uk.