A leading hospital in the Boston area, renowned for its exceptional pediatric care, is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for Patients, Visitors, and staff. With a constant flow of Visitors and Patients navigating through its facilities, managing access control efficiently is crucial. To address this challenge, the hospital integrated PassagePoint Visitor Management System (VMS) with Lenel OnGuard Access Control System to implement a comprehensive solution tailored to their unique needs.
Challenge: The hospital faced several challenges in managing Visitor access effectively:
- Complex Visitor Access Requirements: With Patients located in different areas of the hospital, managing Visitor access based on Patients location was necessary.
- Ensuring Security: Ensuring that Visitors were only allowed access to areas where their respective Patients were located was critical for maintaining security within the hospital premises.
- Operational Efficiency: Manual management of Visitor access was time-consuming and prone to errors, which impacted operational efficiency.
Solution: To address these challenges, the hospital implemented PassagePoint VMS integrated with Lenel OnGuard, leveraging the PassagePoint HL7 module for seamless communication between systems. The solution streamlined Visitor Management and Access Control processes, ensuring both security and efficiency.
- Dynamic Visitor Access Control: PassagePoint VMS integrated with Lenel OnGuard enabled dynamic access control based on Patient’s location. When a Visitor checks in, PassagePoint automatically checks the Patient's location within the hospital through the HL7 interface. Temporary access credentials are then granted based on this information, allowing Visitors access only to areas where their respective Patients are located.
- Temporary Badge Printing: Upon check-in, Visitors are issued temporary badges printed by PassagePoint VMS. These badges serve as visual identifiers and contain necessary access permissions encoded within them.
- Destination Dispatch Integration: To further enhance efficiency, the temporary badges issued by PassagePoint are integrated with the hospital's destination dispatch system for elevator access. Visitors can only access the designated floors where their Patient is located, ensuring restricted movement within the hospital.
Results: The implementation of PassagePoint VMS integrated with Lenel OnGuard provided significant benefits for the hospital:
- Improved Security: By restricting Visitor access based on Patient location, the hospital enhanced security and mitigated potential risks associated with unauthorized access.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Automating Visitor management processes reduced manual intervention, saving time for staff and improving overall operational efficiency.
- Streamlined Visitor Experience: Visitors experience a smoother check-in process and seamless navigation within the hospital premises.
- Compliance and Reporting: The integrated solution provides comprehensive audit trails and reporting capabilities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating incident investigation if needed.
The leading hospital in the Boston area successfully addressed its Visitor management and access control challenges by implementing PassagePoint VMS integrated with Lenel OnGuard and PassagePoint’s HL7 module. The solution not only enhanced security but also improved operational efficiency and Visitor experience. By leveraging technology to manage Visitor access based on Patient location, the hospital remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its Patients, Visitors, and Staff.