By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

A 32-year-old man led California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers on a chase after being stopped for speeding, according to FOX11. Noe Armando Banuelos allegedly fled the scene and caused a crash in Fontana, California that killed another driver. Banuelos was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for his injuries but escaped CHP custody during his transfer to jail. After a manhunt, he was found near the hospital and re-arrested. Authorities later revealed he had a federal arrest warrant. 

Healthcare facilities must provide care to anyone that walks through their doors, including people arriving in police custody. While this scenario isn’t a part of the regular day-to-day operations, it is critical that staff knows how to secure areas for these at-risk patients. 

Healthcare Facilities Today also reported on two other escape incidents that occurred in the first half of 2024. One of them even ended up with the suspect allegedly shooting another man after escaping.

Related: Securing Healthcare Facilities with Access Controls

Security guards act as one line of defense, as they can keep watch and provide physical reinforcement at the same time. However, security guards cannot be everywhere at once, which is why healthcare facilities also rely on solutions such as access controls. All together, these provide multiple layers of security. 

Access controls come in many different forms, but controlled egress could help prevent escapes. Controlled egress doors use magnetic locks on the exiting side that can only be unlocked by an authorized staff member using a credentialed card to trigger the electronic access control card reader for the lock, according to Thomas Morgan, director of business development for healthcare at ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions. 

“Who exits a facility is typically only tracked on doors with controlled egress,” Morgan says. “Controlled egress is mainly used on egress doors where the security and clinical needs of patients receiving care require their containment or restraint.” 

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