On hospital campuses and other healthcare facilities, it has never been more important to create a secure environment where assets and people are kept safe and that the risk of contamination being spread, is minimised. CEM Systems has capitalised on the latest advances in technology to deliver integrated access control solutions which give healthcare workers, patients and visitors peace of mind in knowing they are being kept safe and yet do not disrupt day-to-day activities.
It is a manufacturer perhaps best known for its market leading position within the aviation sector. However, access control and security management platform provider CEM Systems, has a proven track record of delivering solutions tailored to other security conscious vertical market sectors, such as data centres, education and utilities. In particular, it is able to offer an impressive range of security solutions for the healthcare sector.
Illustra Insight Intelligent Frictionless Access
The seamless integration of CEM Systems’ AC2000 access control, event and security software platform with Illustra Insight, is an excellent example of how the company is able to provide solutions which have the flexibility to take into account a hospital’s requirements.
Illustra Insight is a hands-free access solution which offers a reliable and robust way of controlling and visually verifying who has access to restricted areas such as X-ray rooms, operating theatres, hospital pharmacies and children’s wards. Engineered with Tyco AI and deep learning algorithms, Illustra Insight capitalises on the innovative features of a high-definition camera equipped with leading-edge facial recognition technology.
Utilising two imaging sensors to create a 3D facial topology which can quickly distinguish between an actual person and a spoofed picture of a human being, Illustra Insight is designed to create an unobtrusive, frictionless and totally hygienic way of enabling large numbers of authorised people to enter an area without coming into contact with door furniture. Faces can be detected from up to three metres away, with simultaneous multi-face processing, in less than one second.
Integrated LEDs combined with ‘Welcome/Deny’ audio messaging ensures visitors and colleagues instantly know if they are allowed to enter an area, whilst the opportunity to set up a customised audio greeting creates a unique user experience.
Frictionless entry and exit solutions
Adding to the ability to provide a high level of security which does not disrupt a constant flow of healthcare employees, patients and visitors, CEM’s AC2000 access control software has also been integrated with a wide range of other frictionless entry access control devices, including Idemia VisionPass facial biometric readers and Idemia Morphowave Compact frictionless fingerprint biometric readers.
Intelligent, feature-rich emerald terminals
Found at the front end of many CEM System’s access control systems installed within hospitals, emerald access terminals provide card reader and door controller functionality, scramble keypad for PIN security and fully integrated Voice over IP (VoIP) intercom. With a sleekly designed, state of the art 4.3” LCD touch screen, emerald readers also come with the option of fingerprint biometric security. By facilitating multi-factor authentication, i.e. card, PIN and biometric verification, this gives hospitals an extremely high level of control over who can gain access to restricted areas.
Real-life practical benefits
The emerald readers are also equipped with a long list of features which provide real-life practical benefits for hospitals. They allow, for example, authorised personnel to manage day-to-day access control activities by simply swiping their card through an emerald terminal installed at the entrance to a ward. Whereas most access control door permissions are updated via the Access Control system’s software by trained personnel, emerald provides a simple and easy to use interface which enables ward managers to issue temporary access permissions. This could be for a nurse who may at short notice be assigned to provide cover for a colleague. Being able to quickly locally issue a temporary access permission means there is no delay in the cover nurse starting to care for patients.
For social distancing purposes, emerald readers can also be used to control the occupancy of rest rooms used by exhausted healthcare employees who because of the pandemic, are having to work long shifts and need somewhere safe to have a break. This can be achieved with the help of emeralds room booking application which controls who can book and occupy a room, ensuring correct occupancy and social distancing is maintained.
Other key features available with emerald readers include:
- Swipe Invoke Access: This enables an access control card to be programmed to only allow access to specified internal areas of a building after it has been swiped through an activation reader typically located within the reception area of a building. The card is automatically deactivated after 24 hours or when it has been swiped through a ‘remove’ reader. It is an ideal way to control when contractors are allowed to be onsite.
- CEM Check List: An emerald terminal can be set up to display a checklist which contractors or visitors need to complete correctly before they are granted access to a building or a specific area. Up to 6 questions can be included on a checklist. These could, for example, cover health & safety requirements or in a pandemic effected world, verify the visitor is fully aware they need to wear a face mask and that they do not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19. As a useful tool to improve adherence to procedures, the emerald Checklist can also be used to remind staff to wash their hands or close doors when entering sterile areas.
- Multi Date Check: Providing an extra layer of safety and security, this feature can be used to introduce additional criteria to check that a healthcare worker or contractor be allowed to continue access to specific areas. Using the CEM AC2000 Web interface, it is very easy to produce detailed reports to identify if a person’s training is up to date or any certificates are close to their expiry dates. An appropriate message can also be displayed on an emerald reader’s monitor to remind the person what they need to do.
In addition, although not directly relevant to security, emerald readers can be used by hospitals for a variety of other practical purposes, including time & attendance, controlling use of machines, e.g. photocopiers, remotely accessing and managing meeting room bookings and displaying visitor information.