b. Medical records must be secured to prevent access by unauthorized persons. Security of
medical records must include the following:
(1) Area must be designated as a controlled access area.
(2) Key and lock controls must be implemented.
(3) Interior and exterior lighting must be used.
(4) If record storage area is on the first floor, windows must be covered with bars, steel mesh,
and doors must be reinforced.
5. Security of Emergency Treatment Facilities.
a. Emergency rooms are areas plagued with a lot of pedestrian traffic. This presents special
security problems. Supplies and equipment must be readily available, but at the same time, they must
provide minimum access to unauthorized persons. Crash carts and emergency trays having controlled
substances will be kept to a minimum; they will be secured to the greatest extent possible so as not to
interfere with necessary operating procedures. Emergency rooms are often the first place victims of
crimes will come when they need medical attention. MP may be posted at or near the emergency
room. There are several advantages in providing law enforcement personnel in this area. Disruption is
minimized and controlled; assistance to victim and family is available; police investigations and initial
paperwork and reports are expedited; and visitors and the news media, who may disrupt procedures,
can be controlled.
b. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) must be considered in physical security planning.
This is because it is the center of any health care efforts during a disaster or emergency. As such, the
EOC must be protected.
c. Emergency treatment facilities depend upon utility services. Therefore, water, natural gas, fuel,
oil and electricity must be integrated into plans for emergency protection. Heating, air conditioning, and
telephone services must also be included.
PART B - FUND-HANDLING ACTIVITIES
Fund handling activities will always remain likely targets for criminals. This is due to the ease with
which certain supplies can be black marketed and money circulated. Private industries have one
primary interest--profit. Management realizes that petty theft causes the loss of billions of dollars each
year. Industry must find a means of compensating for such losses. To do so, they build into the cost of
goods and services an added percentage to cover losses. The government is not a profit making
business. Taxpayers assume the loss for funds and merchandise. Every effort possible should be
extended to minimize these losses. This is possible by establishing physical security requirements for
fund-handling activities.
MP1003
4-8
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