9 Healthcare Security Best Practices to Follow this Holiday Season

The holiday season brings numerous challenges to healthcare facilities, thanks largely to the increased number of patients traveling from across the globe to seek care.  

Given the heightened emotions and complex logistics of the season, a multifaceted approach is required to ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency at healthcare facilities. 

For example, high visibility and proactive patrols are essential, not only to deter potential risks but also to provide a reassuring presence for patients, visitors, and staff. At the same time, open and friendly communication is key, ensuring that every interaction is polite, professional, and empathetic.  

For more insight, we sat down with David LaRose, GardaWorld Security’s Healthcare Subject Matter Expert. What follows is his perspective on the security practices healthcare organizations should adopt this holiday season: 

1. Maintain high visibility: Deploying uniformed security professionals in key high-risk areas such as parking lots, entrances, and other vulnerable zones ensures a visible presence that reassures patients, visitors, and staff. This visibility acts as a deterrent to potential risks and helps create a safe atmosphere during this busy season. 

2. Promote engagement and communication: Security personnel should engage with patients, visitors, and staff through polite and professional interactions. By fostering open communication, they can gather intelligence about potential risks and build trust with the community, creating an environment of shared responsibility for safety.

3. Provide wayfinding assistance: Security personnel can assist visitors in navigating the often-complex layouts of hospitals and clinics, reducing confusion and stress. Friendly and professional interactions help enhance the overall visitor experience and ensure timely arrival at appointments or patient rooms. 

4. Conduct proactive patrol and rounding: Conducting regular patrols and rounding through high-traffic areas such as lobbies, parking facilities, and waiting rooms allows security teams to address potential issues before they escalate. This proactive presence contributes to a sense of order and safety during the heightened activity of the holidays.

5. Ensure crowd and traffic management: Strategically positioning of security professionals at entry points and congested areas ensures smooth visitor flow while enforcing safety protocols. This reduces bottlenecks and maintains a secure environment. 

6. Provide education and training: Equip staff with awareness training to recognize and report suspicious behavior. Regular security briefings ensure everyone understands their role in maintaining safety. 

7. Make holiday-specific adjustments: Adapt security measures to address increased visitor traffic, extended hours, or special events that may create vulnerabilities. Flexible staffing models and enhanced communication protocols can help manage these seasonal changes. 

8. Train for emergency preparedness: Above all, teams must be trained to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies, ensuring that safety is upheld even in challenging scenarios. 

9. Adopt key crime prevention principles: 

   1. Detect: Use a combination of technology, such as surveillance cameras and access control systems, and vigilant patrols to identify potential threats early. Encourage staff and visitors to report unusual activity.

   2. Deter: High visibility, coupled with strong messaging about security measures, can discourage criminal behavior. Signage and announcements about security protocols can amplify this effect.

   3. Deny: Secure high-value areas with robust access controls and ensure restricted zones are clearly marked and enforced. Deploying trained personnel at entry points can help verify identities and prevent unauthorized access.

   4. Delay: Implement barriers, locks, and secure storage for sensitive materials or assets to slow down potential perpetrators, giving security personnel time to respond.