Rob Sands, Technical Director, Videx Security explains how remote entry management is transforming the approach to access control across the healthcare industry.

In today’s healthcare landscape, medical facilities are increasingly adopting remote management through cloud services, moving away from traditional on-site practices.

These innovations are reshaping access control, patient data handling and facility management, allowing for streamlined operations through centralised control and automation. 

With cloud-based services, operators can instantly modify access parameters across various hospital departments or even multiple locations.

This includes adding new staff, adjusting access privileges, managing lost credentials, incorporating maintenance personnel and generating health reports for medical equipment or patient safety systems.

All these changes can be made remotely, boosting efficiency and responsiveness in healthcare settings. 

This digital transformation in healthcare mirrors broader societal trends where industries like banking and retail have embraced technology to enhance service delivery.

Similarly, hospitals are recognising the potential for cloud technology to revolutionise facility management and patient care. 

The benefits of remote entry management in healthcare 

Restoring access to critical areas such as operating rooms or pharmaceutical storage can now be handled swiftly, even issuing temporary access codes remotely via a mobile device, with specific limitations or usage restrictions.

These temporary measures bridge the gap until permanent credentials are issued, saving valuable time and improving operational efficiency. 

The result? Time and cost savings, plus a smoother, more responsive healthcare environment. 

A major benefit of remote management is the flexibility it offers.

Previously, altering access controls required on-site intervention, consuming time and resources.

Now, such changes are made remotely, allowing for a real-time, dynamic response to facility management needs. 

Cloud services also facilitate greater integration across hospital systems.

Access control can be linked to other operations like medical equipment management, HVAC systems and lighting controls, streamlining workflows and improving sustainability.

For example, access data can be used to optimise energy usage, automatically adjusting equipment or climate controls in unoccupied areas. 

Enhancing security and responsiveness 

Remote management strengthens security through real-time monitoring and alerts for unauthorised access attempts.

Additionally, remote diagnostics support faster response times to system malfunctions, minimising risks to patient care. 

The shift to cloud management also enables more sophisticated data analysis.

Hospitals can now analyse access patterns and operational data, gaining valuable insights into staff behaviour, patient flow and facility usage.

This data-driven approach not only improves efficiency but also enables more personalised and responsive patient care. 

Tools for diagnostics and troubleshooting 

Cloud-based systems provide robust tools for diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Automated notifications for malfunctions, such as faulty card readers or power outages, immediately alert maintenance teams, allowing them to resolve issues quickly.  

Temporary access for maintenance personnel via mobile devices further streamlines repairs, eliminating the need for physical key distribution. 

The integration of networked controllers and security systems marks a pivotal milestone in healthcare facility management, providing an intuitive interface for configuring access, user permissions, alarms and notifications.

This approach enhances both security and operational efficiency, contributing to smoother workflows. 

Leading the future of healthcare management 

The transition to cloud-based remote management represents a significant advancement in healthcare facility management.

Hospitals now have access to a level of service, flexibility and security that was previously out of reach.  

This is more than a technological shift – it’s a reimagining of how healthcare facilities are run, paving the way for a more efficient, secure and patient-focused future. 

This article was originally published in the November Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.