Healthcare security

Security officers in healthcare environments protect patients, staff, visitors, and property, while supporting clinical operations. Their role includes proactive risk management, controlled access enforcement, and rapid emergency response. Officers monitor entrances, enforce visitor policies, and secure restricted areas such as ICUs, surgical suites, and pharmacies. They respond to disturbances, de-escalate conflicts, and assist clinical teams during high-risk situations, including behavioral health crises and emergency department incidents. Through vigilance, strong communication, and regulatory compliance, security officers help maintain a safe, welcoming environment that supports quality care and operational continuity. 

A healthcare security risk assessment enables leadership to make data-driven decisions that help protect patients, staff, and visitors, while allocating limited resources where they deliver the greatest operational and financial return. We analyze workflows, protocols, and existing safeguards to identify operational vulnerabilities and regulatory exposure. The result is a prioritized roadmap that supports Joint Commission standards, strengthens incident documentation and drill readiness, and optimizes staffing while balancing officer presence with technology.  

Securitas officers assigned to healthcare environments complete specialized training through our dedicated Healthcare Academy. Coursework includes HIPAA and EMTALA compliance, OSHA safety standards, Sentinel Event awareness, HCAHPS impact, customer service techniques, wayfinding support, elopement response protocols, and infection prevention practices such as the Five Moments of Hand Hygiene and biological hazard protection.

This training prepares officers to work safely within clinical settings – balancing security with a welcoming, patient-centered approach – support regulatory compliance, and contribute positively to the overall care experience.

Securitas officers address workplace violence through prevention, early recognition, and coordinated response. Officers receive specialized training in behavioral risk indicators, de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention aligned with healthcare protocols. They maintain a visible presence in high-risk areas such as emergency departments and behavioral health units, communicate continuously with clinical staff, and intervene using calm, non-threatening techniques to reduce escalation. 

When threats intensify, officers activate established response procedures, secure affected areas, and document incidents to support regulatory compliance and continuous improvement, helping protect staff, patients, and visitors while maintaining a safe and supportive care setting.

Our specialized healthcare security planning model combines local execution with national healthcare expertise. Local management teams are supported by a dedicated team comprised of certified healthcare protection administrators (CHPAs) through the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS). This team provides program design guidance, risk assessments, specialized officer training, and subject matter expertise on healthcare security best practices. This structure helps ensure each healthcare security program aligns with regulatory standards, reflects industry-leading practices, and is tailored to your facility.

Across all sensitive areas, we prioritize vigilance, empathy, regulatory compliance, and detailed documentation to ensure safety while protecting dignity and continuity of care. 

In the emergency department, we deploy officers trained in high-acuity response, de-escalation, and rapid coordination with medical teams. Officers maintain visible coverage of key access points, monitor for behavioral changes, and support rapid response without disrupting care. Continuous communication with clinical staff helps ensure security supports treatment plans, particularly during trauma events, substance-related incidents, or emotionally charged situations. 

In behavioral health areas, our focus is prevention and stabilization. Officers are trained to recognize early warning signs of agitation or self-harm risk, apply non-threatening communication techniques, and preserve a calm environment. They support observation protocols, secure potentially hazardous items, and escalate concerns immediately to clinical leadership when risk increases. 

For maternity and pediatric units, we implement strict access control measures, ID verification, and surveillance monitoring. Officers are trained in infant abduction prevention protocols and execute immediate lockdown and coordination procedures in the event of an alert. 

Nurturing a positive relationship with local law enforcement is critical to the success of our healthcare security services. We work closely with local law enforcement agencies for various critical initiatives, including workplace violence awareness, emergency response time, active shooter educational training, anti-terrorism awareness, and bomb threat training. This collaboration helps ensure that we're well-prepared to handle a wide range of security challenges and emergencies effectively.

Working with a specialized healthcare security partner provides you with access to national expertise, standardized training, regulatory insight, and scalable resources that can be difficult to sustain internally.  
 
For large hospitals or health systems that employ proprietary security teams, partnering with security experts can expand your coverage, reduce administrative burden, and elevate your overall program performance. We offer flexible hospital security services and engagement structures, including hybrid models that complement your existing security teams. For example, Securitas can manage patrol, lobby, and access control functions while internal staff focus on clinical-facing or specialized roles, creating a coordinated, risk-aligned security program that strengthens both efficiency and effectiveness.