Opening the Door to a Secure Future
Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic upgrades to IP-based access control system
- By Bruce Stewart
- Nov 01, 2014
In every industry, access control is a tricky balance between accessibility and
security. This balancing act is amplified when it comes to healthcare and
medical facilities. Most hospitals and clinics are open to the public during
business hours; yet, they also contain extremely sensitive information and
dangerous equipment as well as patients seeking a wide range of medical
treatments.
When Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic looked to upgrade their lock-and-key
door controls, they turned to an IP-based access control system from Axis Communications
to address these competing demands.
All-in-one Medical Care
Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic is constantly buzzing with activity. This cutting-
edge primary care facility is the largest clinic in Platte County, a suburb of
Kansas City, Mo. They offer a full range of services to as many as 450 patients
each day, six days a week, including primary care doctors, a cardiovascular clinic,
onsite labs and X-rays, and a MRI and CT imaging center.
“We have tried to create an opportunity for patients to come in and get everything
done onsite that they might need,” said Adrian Delaney, staff physician. “Essentially,
once eight o’clock hits, our phones start ringing, our doors start opening
and our patients start visiting. The clinic employs more than 100 people, and a
steady stream of couriers, pharmaceutical representatives, patient’s families and
others pass in and out all day long. Once those doors open, it is non-stop busy.”
In such a bustling environment, maintaining control over who goes where is critical.
In addition to protecting its patients and staff, the clinic also needs to secure
sensitive materials like pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and patient records.
“It’s not uncommon in medicine for people to try to sneak in the backdoors
to get what they need,” said Patty Jean, head clinical nurse. “As a medical facility,
many of the items inside are extremely dangerous, such as scalpels, drugs and
electro-cardio tools. It is not just that people are taking our stuff, they are taking
stuff they don’t know how to use.”
The Network Advantage
Before installing Axis’ physical access control solution, Clay Platte relied on manual
lock and key security. However, the clinic wanted to enhance their access control
beyond what those locks could provide. They also were expanding and wanted
an access control system that could grow with them. Wachter Inc., a solutions
and services provider, recommended AXIS A1001 Network Door Controllers with
AXIS Entry Manager software as a simple, scalable and secure upgrade.
“As an integrator, one of the key things we look at when choosing an IP system
over an analog system is the scalability,” said Mario Palmietto, Wachter Solutions
engineer/architect. “We try to find a solution that will allow the system to grow
with the customer.”
Quick and Easy Installation
Axis network door controllers are independent units that operate on a non-proprietary,
open, IP-based platform. New units can be added to the network individually,
and the installation process is a breeze. Palmietto and his team were able to
pre-configure the system on their in-house computers before starting the physical
installation. After pre-configuration, AXIS Entry Manager software produced a
unique, color-coded wiring diagram that corresponded to the connectors on the
back of the unit to help streamline installation time and reduce complexity.
“Analog systems are more complex,” said Mathew Fritzemeier, Wachter field
engineer. “They often require a service manual and leave it up to the installer
to determine where the wires go. This software walks you right through it. The
entire system was a nice and smooth installation. The wiring was simple, and the
software makes it easy to set up the doors.”
Additionally, because the Axis units
support PoE, Wachter was able to eliminate
the need for expensive composite
cables. This significantly reduced costs
and allowed Clay Platte to invest in
more security for the future.
Intuitive and
Feature-rich Software
Wachter recommended AXIS Entry
Manager because the user-friendly interface
makes it easy for Clay Platte to
administer the system themselves.
“It just tells you what to do, intuitively,”
Jean said.
As administrator, Jean can dragand-
drop staff into groups to create
access schedules based on shifts and
set specific clearance levels for various
parts of the building.
“It gives me the flexibility of actually
setting schedules, so when people
are supposed to be here, they can get in,
and when they aren’t, they can’t get in.”
This software allows Jean to control
the system remotely. If, during an emergency,
someone needed to get in after
hours, she can grant immediate access
from home for a specific amount of time.
“If someone needs to be there for an
hour, I can literally pin down an hour,”
she said.
As Clay Platte expands, they plan
to install the Axis system at their new
locations.
Because it is on our network and
our network shares everything, it is another
system we can drop into place,”
Jean said. “That is a huge plus and a
huge cost savings.”
In fact, the cost savings are allowing
Clay Platte to explore integrating IP
surveillance cameras into the system.
They hope to add alarm functions and
payroll tracking support.
Complete Control
The access control system has given
Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic
complete control over the entrances to
their facility. The doors are guaranteed
to be locked and secure at night, and
they are protected from any unauthorized
access to the back of the facility.
“Since we have installed the system,
I haven’t had to worry about people
walking in uninvited,” said Dr. Nathan
Granger, physician and owner of the
facility.
While the Axis system blocks out
those who don’t belong, it doesn’t impede
the work of the clinic.
“Accessing the system has been quite
easy for me and my staff,” Granger said.
“It has not affected our workflow at all.”
“I think everybody is excited to have
it in place,” Delaney said. “The improved
security provides real peace of
mind.”
This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Security Today.