The pandemic accelerated the adoption of new
strategies and security measures to limit the spread of infection
while protecting people and property
CARMEL,
Ind., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Allegion U.S., a leading provider of security products and
solutions, revealed the results of a health care survey that
provides insight into trends and challenges of today's hospitals.
This survey, "2022 Health Care Trends Report: A Study on How Health
Care Facilities Are Using Technology to Meet the Demands of the
Changing Landscape," includes input from 100 decision makers across
leading U.S. health systems including Ascension Health, HCA
Healthcare, John Hopkins Medicine
and Kaiser Permanente.
Beyond PPE and touchless access control, the study unveiled how
COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of new security and safety
measures aimed at protecting people and physical assets. Many
strategic initiatives around door hardware and access control have
been adopted since, with more being planned for the coming
months.
In 2016, Allegion conducted a similar study, providing a
benchmark for recent developments around electronic access control
adoption, which were on the rise before 2020. Over the last five
years, electronic usage has evolved, and there are more
accommodations for patients with disabilities and behavioral health
conditions.
"Health care has long been a dynamic market as result of
continuous advancements and new technologies on the medical front,"
said Connie Alexander, senior
manager for primary research & insights. "Our research reveals
that we are now witnessing unprecedented evolution in other aspects
of health care environments, particularly relative to the safety
and security of patients, property, and staff."
The key trends and challenges examined in the report are
outlined below:
- Pandemic Impact—The last two years devasted the health
care industry in many ways and profoundly altered how health care
facilities operate.
-
- 88% of health care professionals cited at least one way that
COVID-19 impacted their organization's infrastructure needs and
plans
- 73% added extra layers of security to limit the spread of
infection while protecting people and property
- 59% added touchless technology at openings and 62% electrified
openings with access control
- Surface Transmission Strategies—While infection control
has always been a top health care priority, COVID-19 forced
facilities to adopt new solutions.
-
- 89% are using antimicrobial products in their facilities today,
up a significant 170% from 2016
- 61% are using hands-free or touchless access products more than
before
- 93% are using touchless or hands-free products throughout the
building—from patient areas like individual rooms and the ICU to
common spaces like restrooms and reception areas
- Strategic Initiatives & Planning—Looking ahead,
health care industry leaders expect to see security-related
initiatives grow in the next 12 months.
-
- 55% of hospitals standardized purchasing of door hardware and
access control products, up 13% from five years ago
- 40% plan to expand their security plans in the next year,
including projects related to key control, credentialing and
ligature resistance
- Electronic Access Control Adoption—Adoption escalated
throughout the health care market over the last five years,
especially among larger facilities located in urban and suburban
markets. Common areas with electronic door hardware in place
include surgical suites, nurseries, behavioral health units and
equipment rooms.
-
- 92% are using electronic access control to some extent, 13%
higher than in 2016
- Of those using connected systems in their facilities, 82% are
using hardwired electronic access control products, and 71% are
using wireless technologies
- Health care professionals cite cost (34%) and lack of budgets
(28%) as primary barriers to widespread electronic access control
adoption
- Patient Accommodations—Facilities have become more
accommodating for patients of all abilities and needs. The pandemic
and an increased focus on mental health are cited as key drivers
for these shifts.
-
- Over 80% of hospitals updated doors to meet ADA compliance over
the last year
- Changing door knobs to levers (45%) and adding automatic door
operators (44%) were the most common changes made in areas like
patient rooms, common areas and restrooms
- 57% are experiencing an increase in patients requiring rooms
with ligature resistant hardware—which is specifically designed to
reduce the risk of strangulation—up 7% from five years ago
- Prioritizing Staff Satisfaction—Hospitals and other
facilities appear to be valuing their employees and prioritizing
staff satisfaction, which may be attributed to the impact COVID-19
had on this workforce.
-
- When asked how their organization measures effectiveness of
hands-free and touchless products, the top response was improvement
of staff satisfaction (66%)
- At 60%, staff satisfaction was in the top three answers when
asked a similar question about measuring the effectiveness of
antimicrobials
- Staff satisfaction was ranked number one for how respondents
measure the effectiveness of quiet door hardware
Allegion works with health care facilities to provide flexible
security and access control offerings that meet the demands of
today's patients and staff. For more information, please visit
allegion.com/hospital-trends. For further insight on key
findings, register for Allegion's upcoming Security in 30 webinar,
Healthcare Insights in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape, on
April 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Data Source: Allegion. Survey of 100 key decision makers in U.S.
hospitals (including C-suite, purchasing and procurement,
facilities and operations, clinical and services lines, and safety
and security); 30-minute blind survey; to qualify, decision makers
had to have worked with, purchased or recommended one or more types
of door hardware, access control or both in the past 12 months;
conducted August through September 2021.
About Allegion
Allegion (NYSE: ALLE) is a global pioneer in seamless access,
with leading brands like
CISA®, Interflex®, LCN®,
Schlage®, SimonsVoss® and Von
Duprin®. Focusing on security around the door and
adjacent areas, Allegion secures people and assets with a range of
solutions for homes, businesses, schools and institutions.
Allegion had $2.9 billion in revenue
in 2021, and its security products
are sold around the world.
For more, visit www.allegion.com.
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SOURCE Allegion US