How do access cards help with overcrowding and security in hospitals?

How do access cards help with overcrowding and security in hospitals?

Hospital access cards

The pandemic took our country by storm in March 2020 last year. Ever since hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of patients pouring in. 

Overcrowding has made it hard to keep track of so many people. Therefore, making identification and security impossible. 

Hospital access cards can help organize a busy environment in times of chaos.

 

What problems do hospitals face in the pandemic?

Overcrowding in hospitals has become a hotspot for increased infections. People do not have access to basic hospital facilities like beds. The hospital is understaffed and there are too many patients to help.

When there is so much chaos, people get overwhelmed. 

Patients may wander into areas that they should not gain access to for certain medical needs. 

Therefore, risking the safety and security of the hospital and its patients. This can be dangerous and could lead to theft and disorder of the hospital if not controlled properly. 

 

What is an ID card? 

An ID card is a PVC card that visually displays information about the holder.

Including:

• Name of person
• Photograph
• Name of company
• ID number
• Phone number

This is an important card for proof of identification. 

Allowing patients to know who is a staff member if they need help.

This is a great way for social distancing. You are able to see their name without physical contact. The cards can be visible by attaching them to our cardholder and lanyard selection. 

Therefore, informing security personnel if you are in an area you are not supposed to be in. 

 

Examples of cards we have made

This is a frosted ID card for medical care. Adcock Ingram is a South African pharmaceutical company that manufactures and markets healthcare products to both the private and public sectors. 

As you can see these cards are recyclable. Made in our factory where we use sustainably recycled materials to create this card. 

The frosted card is a transparent colour that makes your card stand out from the rest. Creating a more modern style and finish.

 

Why are basic ID cards not effective? 

Basic ID cards are great for visual identification but they do not restrict you from unauthorized areas. 

As we have stated. The pandemic has made hospitals overwhelming and chaotic. Therefore making it impossible to check everyone's identification card before accessing an area. 

This creates a risk of unauthorized personnel entering your hospital. Which could lead to theft or disarray. Leaving your patients and hospital vulnerable and at risk.

Therefore, you need to have control. An important way to do this is through access cards.

What is an access card? 

This is a plastic card with a chip and antenna embedded in it. 

The chip is encrypted. Meaning that important information about the patient, visitor or doctor is stored on the card.  

Transferring information from the card onto the reader. Therefore, ensuring that only people with permission will have access to certain areas quickly and easily. 

Preventing unauthorized people from entering places that they should not.

This controls the movement of people and, therefore, manages the number of people at a given time.

Therefore, reducing overcrowding and increasing the safety and security of the hospital. Creating a calmer and more controlled environment.

 

Preventing counterfeiting of cards

Hospitals are places where you keep important records about patients and expensive medicine. Overcrowding leads to theft and crime. Causing medicine and important records to go missing. 

As stated above, access cards are very difficult to copy. But if you would like to have that extra layer of protection we have solutions for you. 

We supply:

• Watermarks
• Holograms
• Guilloche

These are a few solutions we use to prevent criminals from accessing unauthorized areas.

Watermarks 

A watermark is a transparent image (usually a logo or other branding) that is put onto the card. This is an additional layer of security. Showing authenticity of the employee. 

These are cost-effective solutions that are hard for criminals to tamper with or copy. 

Holograms

A hologram is a 3D piece of technology. This stands out on the card.

The hologram is difficult to replicate because you need an expensive machine and ribbon.

Therefore, ensuring that criminals do not replicate your card and steal your information. 

Guilloche 

Printed unique pattern or design on your card. This pattern has a unique code attached to it, making it impossible for criminals to replicate it.


The guilloche pattern can only be read by a specific reader which we supply. 

Implementation of access cards in your hospital

Here we have used a proximity card. A proximity card is a contactless access card. 

Meaning that you will be granted access to an area without having to swipe the reader but rather by displaying it to the reader. 

Programming each access card with a unique code.

When the card is placed within the proximity of the reader, that code is checked within your access system to ensure that the code is registered and approved.

Therefore, unlocking the door and granting you access. 

Encryption makes it very difficult to duplicate cards.

Saving time and efficiency 

Hospitals are huge places. You have to go through many hallways, stairs and lifts to get from one ward to the next. Usually making it an exhausting experience.

We know that many hospitals use old systems like keys, badges, key fobs etc. These are all different systems in the same hospital. Forcing you to carry around a whole lot of unnecessary access keys. 

Access control reduces the clutter. You only need one card to access all wards of the hospital that you have permission to access. 

Therefore, reducing the time it would take to find all the access keys necessary.

Systems and data for access cards

By implementing access control you are able to analyze the data from the comfort of your computer. 

Our integrated software allows you to analyze what is going on in your hospital. This software is only accessible from one device for security reasons.

Here are a few examples of how powerful this software is:

• You can verify who has accessed an area. What time they accessed the area and the door they accessed. 

• Knowing which doors have been opened and closed during the day. 

• Doors left open is will notify security. As a result, they can go close it. 

• You will have the opportunity to lock or unlock a door from your computer. 

• Doors opened after hours (e.g. at night) will send a message alerting the security guard.

• Notification will be sent when an unauthorized person tries to open a door. 

Data captured can help managers make informed decisions about hospital plans. Overcrowded areas are highlighted. As a result, preventing these instances from occurring in the future. 

Therefore, making the hospital more efficient and safe. Preventing the spread of infections during overcrowded spaces. Allowing you to control the situation from one space. 

At Easi-card we have a factory in Durban. Here we locally produce high-quality secure card solutions for all businesses needs. Providing affordable solutions that are easy to implement for everyone.

Conclusion

The pandemic is here to stay. It has devastated many families and killed millions of people.

For now, we need to find solutions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Whilst keeping our hospitals safe, secure and organized. 

At Easi-card we provide solutions to help combat the pandemic and provide affordable solutions to your hospital's needs. Please contact us for more information.