By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

When the new meets the old, there’s bound to be some conflict. This is true for integrating newer security technologies into healthcare facilities that are older and/or have pre-existing security infrastructure. The concept that this technology can just be simply slotted in with existing solutions isn’t completely accurate, as newer systems may not be compatible with legacy hardware or software. 

Additionally, costs can increase when considering purchasing newer security systems. Not only can they be expensive upfront, but they may require tearing out the existing infrastructure as well, which further adds to costs. There are also regulatory and compliance issues to be weighed as well, as security technologies – specifically surveillance – must align with patient privacy laws. 

In this manufacturer roundtable, Healthcare Facilities Today spoke with security technology manufacturers about the challenges with integration and how they’re being addressed. 

What challenges do hospitals face when integrating new surveillance and detection technologies with existing security infrastructure, and how are manufacturers addressing those challenges?   

“Hospitals face a range of technical, operational and organizational challenges when integrating new surveillance and detection technologies into their existing security infrastructure.  Many hospitals are still relying on outdated security infrastructure to include siloed video and access control systems hindering centralized monitoring and response.  This also limits implementation of AI driven technologies across their ecosystem.   

Budget allocation for new systems is a huge deterrent for the adoption of new tech. Open architecture continues to be the foundation for short- and long-term success in adapting to changes in technology.  AI technologies continue to be trained on more diverse datasets to improve accuracy and efficiency.” 

— Barbara Wood, key account manager, Genetec 

Related Content: Layered Security on the Rise in Facilities

“Cost and compatibility are two of the biggest hurdles for hospitals looking to adopt advanced security technologies. Many new technologies suggest a 'rip and replace' approach, tearing out the old hardware to make way for the new. This is not only expensive, but disruptive, as well. Leading manufacturers are addressing this by designing systems that leverage legacy hardware as a part of their solution. Taking on new technology, like visual gun detection, and using existing camera systems not only extends the capabilities of a 'legacy' system but also reduces the cost of implementation. 

Interoperability standards such as ONVIF, open API formats and widely supported communication protocols allow for smoother setup and making it easier to integrate with legacy systems in the alerting chain. This allows the addition of new detection and alerting tools into established workflows. The proper mindset isn't to throw out the old to make way for the new, but to use new technology to improve and lift up the current system.” 

— Eric Polovich, director of sales operations, Omnilert   

“Hospitals can be a challenging setting to retrofit modern surveillance and detection technology because clinical, regulatory and IT priorities may not always mesh with physical security needs. It is common to find technology that is outdated and staff that are extremely cautious about the implementation of needed security systems due to their unusual regulatory and patron pressures.  

Additionally, many hospitals are older buildings with uncommon layouts or limited physical space for dedicated surveillance, and patient privacy laws (HIPAA, etc.) can also restrict how video, audio and sensor data can be stored, viewed and shared.” 

— Steve Novakovich, chief executive officer, Garrett Metal Detectors 

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