Contract Healthcare Security: Resolving Misconceptions

Healthcare leaders are under constant pressure to keep facilities safe while managing costs. To effectively deal with this challenge, more and more healthcare institutions are opting to outsource their physical security services. However, the path to a more cost-effective and value-added program with a contract security provider is often clouded by misunderstanding.

To develop a better coordinated approach to security and enhance staff satisfaction, there are some major myths that healthcare security leaders must debunk.

MYTH: Contractors Do Not Know My Hospital 

The truth is that quality security providers make understanding their clients’ needs their top priority. That commitment, combined with extensive healthcare experience, make the contract provider right at home. Strong, local security leadership ensures the contract team understands, supports and is integrated with the hospital’s culture. 

MYTH: Contract Security Companies Just Pull and Plug to Fill Open Positions 

Healthcare security officers are a special breed and their training is very specific. An established talent pipeline and quality recruiters allow contract companies to hire for each post, assessing the skills and desired work environment of each candidate and matching those that qualify to positions where they will excel. 

MYTH: Contract Security is Expensive 

The contract security provider alleviates the costs and management challenges associated with the development of training programs, payroll, recruiting, background screening, certifications, and licensing and training compliance. With a dedicated focus on security, many contract providers can do all of this much more efficiently.

MYTH: No Local or Individualized Attention 

Contract security with a local response and national support approach ensures that local security can draw upon national resources. When a hospital employs its own security team, the managers are often pulled in a number of directions. A dedicated contract security manager can focus solely on maintaining a secure environment.
 

It is crucial to select a provider who is committed to the success of your healthcare security program and your unique organizational culture. 

Read more in about Healthcare Security Myths in Healthcare Business Today. 

  About the Author
  Ken Bukowski is the Vice President of Vertical Market Business Development at Allied Universal. He is very active in IAHSS and has been a speaker for several of Allied Universal's webinars.