By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

Being prepared for the unpredictable or unexpected is vital to maintaining security in a healthcare facility, as one Wisconsin facility found out. 

A Columbus police officer recently responded to a report of a man with a gun outside Prairie Ridge Health in Columbus, according to a press release from the Dodge County sheriff’s office. Upon arrival, police discovered the man had shot himself in the hospital's waiting area and had died despite medical aid. Police later found the man's wife deceased at their residence.  

The incident appears to be a murder-suicide, with no other individuals involved, according to the police. Prairie Ridge Health responded by implementing lockdown procedures until the investigation concluded. The Columbus Police Department and the Dodge County sheriff's office are conducting a joint investigation, with limited details being released until the investigation is complete. 

When the unanticipated happens, having emergency response systems is crucial. Such a response can include locking down a healthcare facility in case of a threatening intruder, as Prairie Ridge Health did.  

A critical part of locking down properly is access control technology, which controls the accessibility of the areas in a healthcare facility. Part of its capabilities is restricting entrance and egress from areas, effectively putting these areas into lockdown.  

“In the case of a violent incident, access control systems can go into lockdown mode,” Kyle Pfeiffer, industry solutions leader – healthcare at SALTO Systems, previously told Healthcare Facilities Today. “Localized lockdowns can be activated by authorized staff, or remotely by administrators, immediately locking down specific doors, buildings or an entire facility.” 

Jeff Wardon, Jr. is the assistant editor for the facilities market.