Case Study

Health Sector

Accurate, Accountable and Flexible Key Control In the Health Care Sector

Effective control, security and accountability of keys is of paramount importance within the Health System. Whether it be in a clinic, surgery or hospital environment, unauthorised access to any given area, must be implemented. The consequences can be devastating, loss of property, effecting delays in administering medication or in the extreme circumstances, loss of life.

Instances occurred where cabinets needed to be forced open, as entry was required immediately. Resulting in expensive repair/replacement costs. In addition security for the keys being severely compromised with doors left open. The control, accountability and security of the keys had broken down.

A problem arose at a General Hospital in the UK, accessing the cabinets, holding sensitive keys to medical cabinets. Time was being lost locating the authorised person responsible (key holder) on the ward. An answer was required to enable the cabinets to be accessed without wasting valuable time and money whilst maintaining a high degree of security.

Our Solution

After evaluating a number of options a cost effective solution was found, using the Bristol Key Control System BS30 with a stand-alone electronic digital lock (CL2255 from Codelocks), wth a key-overide facility should it be required. A push shut latch was fitted, ensuring the door closes easily every time ensuring no more doors left open.

Appropriate wards were fitted with the BS30 with CL2255 Electronic Lock. The flexibility of the cabinet met the requirements needed to ensure keys were securely accessible and accountable at all times, to the authorised personnel.

The ruggedly constructed cabinets have a durable powder coated finish, coloured adjustable hook bars with corresponding coloured numbered key tabs can be repositioned to suit different size keys. in this installation, different coloured hook bars/keytabs were used to denote the different areas i.e. WARD 1 – FITTED OUT IN BLUE, WARD 2 – FITTED OUT IN RED and so on. Each cabinet was supplied with a control index which, when removed, makes key identification/location virtually impossible. The lock itself offered all the features needed to maintain security procedures at the hospital, which was up to 80 user codes, with 10 one time user codes.

Also importantly the ability for the lock to be reprogrammed whilst on the door, was particuarly attractive. No unnecessary expense in changing the codes when security protocol dictated. (As a note, whilst not required immediately, there is a remote connection facility available on this lock, enabling a link to external switches or alarm).

From an additional security view, there is a tamper-time-out and low battery warning. Budgets are very tight within the NHS and the pay-back period was estimated to be in the region of 4 months (at worst). With respect to keys, the wards ran more efficiently – easy access at the appropriate times, adhering to the correct security protocols, no wasted time, no expensive repairs, no wasted money.