Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

Tip of the week: New homeland security reg could present challenge to hospitals

Healthcare Security Weekly, July 23, 2007

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a regulation that the agency hopes will shore up security for storing, tracking, and transporting chemicals that could be turned into terrorist weapons.

You can find some of the chemicals identified by DHS (e.g., ethylene oxide, nitric oxide, and several others) in most hospital environments, making medical centers subject to the latest requirements. However, as the regulation is brand new, DHS hasn't yet made clear its enforcement priorities for hospitals.

Security directors should take note that the four main actions that DHS will ask a hospital to take if it determines that the facility has enough chemical risks are:

  • Securing a facility's perimeter
  • Controlling access to the building
  • Deterring and preventing theft of dangerous chemicals
  • Preventing internal sabotage

To learn more about the regulation, go to www.hcpro.com/ppv-73973.html. The cost is $10. Briefings on Hospital Safety subscribers received this story with their subscriptions.

Most Popular