A Safer Sanctuary
Keeping vulnerable adults safe with an ID card program
- By Sharon Steinhoff-Smith
- May 01, 2008
Protecting the safety of vulnerable adults used to
keep Lara Parsons awake at night. Not anymore.
The introduction of a security system
built around plastic photo ID cards now helps Parsons,
director of development at Shoreham Village, get a better
night’s sleep.
Shoreham Village is a small nursing home with 83
residents in Nova Scotia. Created to provide an environment
that maximizes the quality of life for older persons
in need or at risk, the facility sits on 14 acres in a beautiful,
quiet setting. The campus offers several living
options in addition to the nursing home, including an
independent living seniors’ apartment complex, with
assisted-living suites and apartments.
A Prime Target
“Nursing homes are open to many people every day,”
Parsons said. “We keep drugs and needles on the premises,
and we have been the target for criminals and for
people selling junk out of the trunks of their cars.”
Because Shoreham Village is in a rural setting,
Parsons believes the management would wait a long
time for police to arrive, if needed. She is much more
content to secure the building and increase the staff ’s
comfort level.
“A year ago, we started the process of designing and
implementing an ID card-based system that would
enhance our nursing home’s security,” Parsons said.
“We researched many products and companies before
deciding upon a Fargo DTC400 Direct-to-Card
printer/encoder to print the photo ID cards.
“The printing system, consisting of a printer, camera
and software, needed to be easy to use because we wanted
to let different managers have access to it. Most have
little or no education on computers.”
In addition, Parsons wanted a printer that could produce
two-sided cards that would last and not fade. The
proximity cards provide access when held close to card
readers located at a door. People not authorized to enter
do not have access.
Not only was Parsons concerned about the well-being
of Shoreham Village residents, but she also was concerned
about the safety of the 150 staff members.
Approximately 99 percent of the staff is female, and
because 24-hour care is provided, many begin or end
their workday in the dark.
Before the ID card-activated access control system
was put into place, employees who began work at 11
p.m. often would stand alone by the back door, waiting
for someone to unlock the door and let them in. Not only
was this dangerous for arriving employees, it also took
inside staff away from patient care.
Parsons knew something had to be done. With the
introduction of an ID card security program, the staff
can now let themselves in.
“This was a big improvement,” she said.
In the future, Parsons expects Shoreham Village will
add more card readers because they are quicker and easier
to use than keys.
“These ID cards look more professional than the old
plastic pin-on name tags,” Parsons said. “When combined
with the security system, they also create a more
effective time and attendance system. Money has been
saved in employee time—one of the most untraceable
thefts there is. We can monitor employees who like to
leave early or come in late. Staff previously did not even
have a punch clock. We operated on the honor system.”
A Range of Uses
With the introduction of the access control system,
Shoreham Village administrators can monitor who
opens which doors and when. They even tracked down
an internal theft thanks to the card system, which
revealed that a certain person had been in the building
at the time of a theft.
Parsons also noted that the new system has saved time
previously wasted just looking for keys to certain doors.
“The building is locked for 12 hours a day to prevent
residents from hurting themselves,” she said, “although
cards are given to people allowed in the building during
those times, including physicians, pharmacists, palliative
care volunteers and firefighters.”
It wasn’t long before Parsons found additional uses
for the ID cards.
“In the beginning, we thought we would use the system
for staff only,” she said. “When we looked at how
many volunteers we have—currently 170—we decided
the system would be appropriate for volunteers as well.
It identifies them, tracks their time and attendance and,
in the case of an emergency, lets us know who is inside
the building.”
In addition, patients in the last stages of life often
have families who want to visit their loved ones in the
late hours of the night. With the ID card system,
Shoreham Village is able to produce temporary badges
for them. Approximately four times a year, nursing students
come for hands-on education and are issued temporary
cards.
“We also have found the ID card system useful for
some of our residents who come and go from the nursing
home frequently,” Parsons said. “And there are outside
agencies that need to come to the nursing home
after hours, as well as people who occasionally rent one
of our outside buildings. We also are looking at using the
system in some of the common areas of our apartments.”
Quality of Life
“Improving the quality of work life is an important
issue these days,” Parsons said, “and security is part of
that issue.”
But it’s the increased safety of the vulnerable adults
in her care that keeps Parsons sleeping more soundly
these days, and others are noticing her efforts. At an
opening event for the Shoreham Village Seniors’
Complex, Gerald Keddy, member of Parliament for
South Shore-St. Margaret’s, said, “Your ongoing
efforts are helping to ensure that our
seniors will have safe and affordable
places to call home. I applaud
your efforts.”