ABSTRACT

The security survey is a thorough examination of the hospital’s security practices and its operations to evaluate facility risk and liabilities. Security surveys should be completed annually within high-risk or security-sensitive areas, with a thorough evaluation of the entire facility once every three years. Several healthcare organizations now publish guidelines and standards specific to the assessment of risk that can assist security in undertaking a security survey. A complete and thorough security survey identifies assets to be protected, determines threats and vulnerabilities, pinpoints areas for improvement, and helps in the development of recommendations to reduce risk. The last piece of the security survey within the high-risk areas is a review of the patient and visitor process. Recommendations to correct or reduce the risks or defects found during the survey process are developed out of the information evaluation process. Conducting a security risk assessment is essential to providing more effective security services.