TECHNOLOGY
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Security Integration
Sage Integration Helps Akron Children’s Hospital Operate Through the Pandemic
When Jerome Klue took over as director of public safety and chief of police for the Akron Children’s Hospital in 2017, his prime goal and responsibility was to create an expanded and more unified security plan.
“I came here more than three years ago to make positive changes,” said the longtime law enforcement veteran. “It was my responsibility to see that our officers had the equipment, training and support required to respond to the different and increasing types of security events in our hospitals and related sites.”
Akron Children’s Hospital (ACH) has cared for children in northeast Ohio since 1890. It currently operates two hospitals, as well as general practice offices, urgent care and rehabilitation centers and other primary and specialty care locations throughout the region, handling more than 1 million total patient visits annually.
The output from security equipment installed throughout the system flows into the Public Safety Department’s central dispatch center. There, Klue’s staff of certified technicians process the data to make intelligent decisions about alarm events.
IMAGE COURTESY OF SAGE INTEGRATION
The output from disparate security equipment installed throughout the system flows into the public safety department’s central dispatch center on the main ACH campus. There, Klue’s staff of certified communication/dispatch technicians process the data to make intelligent decisions about alarm events.
Klue worked closely with Sage Integration to design a template security plan that would include access control, video surveillance, intrusion and emergency communication systems for the 60 remote facilities.
All buildings — including the two hospitals — have Kantech access control systems, American Dynamics surveillance cameras and DSC intrusion systems. The template also includes panic buttons mounted on all front desk and check-in areas, and wherever there is an exchange of funds and behavioral health units. Ramtel blue light telephone emergency communications systems are installed in all parking facilities and pedestrian walkways leading to the two hospitals. Calls generate a pop-up notification through the access control system and begin a live video stream from the site.
Klue also pushed for metal detectors at emergency department entrances at both hospitals.
“We search every single person, bag and purse, so absolutely no one comes into either hospital with a weapon,” Klue said. “We’ve confiscated thousands of weapons between the two hospitals over the last two years. Having these metal detectors sends a positive message to our patients, staff and visitors of our commitment to their safety.”
Previously, the hospitals were open with numerous entries for employees and visitors. Today, each hospital has only three entries available for all.
“With the COVID-19 restrictions, visitors must have a very specific reason to enter, so now there are fewer people in our hospitals,” Klue said. “Also, all visitors must complete an oral virus questionnaire and receive a sticker before entering. At peak times, we station officers at those entries, and everyone is reviewed.”
Recently, as ACH’s footprint has continued growing, the public safety department migrated from analog to IP-based security systems. An embedded member of Sage Integration now handles many of the system maintenance duties.
“The size and complexity of just the access control and video systems grew so that it no longer warranted an ‘at request’ service structure,” said Sean Ailes, Sage project manager. “Our in-house technician, Kyle Meranto, resolves most issues immediately — often before they become a problem.”
Having an in-house Sage technician as part of the ACH security team largely eliminates service interruptions that might impact critical operations, said John Nemerofsky, chief operating officer of Sage Integration.
“It’s important to have someone on staff that knows the security system and is certified by the manufacturers to maintain and repair the equipment,” Nemerofsky said. “An in-house technician helps ensure systems are always up-to-date and functioning, so there is very minimal downtime.” //
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