By Sara Marberry  — Did you know that 8 out of 10 nurses face violence in the healthcare workplace?

Because of this, healthcare workers are more than four times more likely to be hurt by violence in their workplace — more than all other industries combined. And only 20-60% of violent incidents are actually accounted for.

It’s a shame that those who are dedicated to taking care of others face such behavior from patients. their family members, co-workers, and even angry members of the public. Violent behavior includes things like yelling, grabbing, biting, spitting and throwing stuff.

It’s a huge problem — partly because it’s an accepted part of the job.

What is being done about it?

Gun violence also occurs in the healthcare workplace. This past February, a gunman entered the intensive care unit of UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, PA, and took staff members hostage. A police officer died, and several others, including hospital staff, were injured.

Hospital administrators across the U.S. are implementing a variety of strategies to combat workplace violence and enhance safety for staff, patients and visitors, including:

• Increased security presence
• Metal detectors and screening
• Access control and badging
• Violence prevention programs and staff training/preparedness
• Expanding mental and behavioral health resources
• Improving workplace culture and support systems

Designing to reduce violence in the healthcare workplace

The design of the physical environment also plays a critical role in preventing violence against nurses. Thoughtful design can help decrease stress, improve visibility, limit access to weapons, and provide escape routes when necessary.

Here are eight key ways the design of the physical environment of healthcare can help reduce violence:

1. Improved visibility and open sight lines that allow staff toe monitor patient behavior and recognize escalating situations before they become violent.
2. Controlled access and secure entry points to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.
3. Safe rooms and panic buttons to provide immediate protection for nurses if they need to remove themselves from a dangerous situation.
4. De-escalation spaces and calming environments to help agitated patients regulate emotions, reducing outbursts.
5. Ergonomic and safe nurse workstations to allow staff to quickly respond to potential threats.
6. Weapon-resistant design and safe materials to prevent patients or visitors from using objects in the environment as weapons.
7. Designated crisis response areas for handling patients with a history of aggression.
8. Safety training so that staff members know how to use safety design features effectively.

Where do we go from here?

We live in an increasingly violent, angry society — driven by such things as increased stress and mental health issues, breakdown of community and family structures, exposure to violence in media and society, and political and social polarization.

That’s why the problem of violence in the healthcare workplace isn’t going away. But maybe with careful strategies paired with thoughtful design, it can be reduced. What do you think?

See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.

This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on March 21, 2025. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.

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The hospital features a range of specialties — from robotic surgery and neonatal services to oncology and cardiology care. In partnership with Axis Communications, an industry leader in video surveillance and network devices, and Village Security, a full-service security firm, the state-of-the-art medical facility has integrated innovative technology that monitors every part of the hospital’s nearly 300-bed facility.

The resulting solution provides real-time information that improves emergency response times and helps to save more lives. Laura’s Law was enacted by the State of Massachusetts in 2021 to ensure hospitals make it easier for people to find help in an emergency.

Darrell Boling, market director of facilities and support services at Saint Vincent Hospital, stated:

Saint Vincent Hospital is one of the first hospitals in Massachusetts to fully comply with Laura’s Law, and our partnership with Axis and Village Security enables us to meet the highest standards of safety. Laura’s Law regulates standards for lighting and signage at emergency department access points. It requires 24-hour surveillance with instant playback capabilities including two-way audio-video intercoms connected to a live operator. With better cameras, enhanced signage, and video intercoms, we’re able to react faster to patient and staff emergencies, and in doing so, we save more lives.

To comply with Laura’s Law, Saint Vincent Hospital deployed emergency call boxes embedded with 2N IP Verso security intercoms at all public entrances along with improved lighting and enhanced signage. The law also mandates duress alarms at the main entrances, so the call boxes were integrated with assistive listening technology to improve accessibility for the hearing impaired.

Matt Kjin, segment development manager, Axis Communications, explains:

In addition to employing a new video intercom system, the implementation of Laura’s Law provided Saint Vincent with an opportunity to modernize its security infrastructure by replacing its outdated analog cameras with high-resolution Axis IP cameras. Village Security installed over one hundred Axis dome, panoramic, and multi-directional cameras throughout the premises, all seamlessly integrated and monitored through AXIS Camera Station video management software. Village worked with the local Axis regional sales manager to design the project using AXIS Site Designer, a tool that helps optimize camera placement and factor storage and bandwidth usage.

The new system amplifies safety measures, which is especially important during the holiday season — a time when increased hospital and emergency visits are inevitable. Looking beyond the holiday period, Saint Vincent Hospital will benefit from access of a cutting-edge, scalable system allowing for the easy integration of new solutions to ensure they continue to offer the highest level of standards and compliance for patient, visitor and staff safety.

The new system includes:

• Over 100 Axis dome, panoramic, and multi-directional cameras: These cameras replaced an outdated analog network and provide extensive coverage of the hospital grounds.
• The AXIS License Plate Verifier: Monitors vehicles entering the hospital’s premises. This tool played a key role in solving a recent case where a shooting victim was dropped off at the hospital. By capturing the vehicle’s license plate, security was able to provide critical information to the Worcester Police Department, aiding their investigation.
• AXIS Camera Station (ACS) video management software: Security staff can quickly respond to alerts, view live video footage, and trigger alarm systems, such as the AXIS horn speaker and strobe siren, to draw attention to critical incidents. These tools also assist with non-emergency tasks, such as monitoring psychiatric patients, further improving operational efficiency.
• 2N IP Verso security intercoms and the 2N IP Force video intercoms: These are placed in critical areas such as the employee garage, loading dock, emergency department, and ambulance bay. The intercoms allow immediate communication with hospital security, and the system is designed for full accessibility, including an induction loop system for individuals with hearing impairments.

For more information on Saint Vincent Hospital and its commitment to patient and staff safety, visit the hospital site.

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The new guidelines emphasize the importance of creating a multidisciplinary Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) Team within healthcare facilities. This team, comprising experts from various departments including human resources, legal, security, clinical services, mental health, and law enforcement, will be responsible for receiving, investigating, and managing threats in a systematic and evidence-based manner.

Key components of the Threat Management Guidelines include:

• Threat assessment: A fact-based method for assessing potential risks, focusing on a person’s behavior patterns to determine whether they pose a credible threat
• Team structure: The establishment of a multidisciplinary TAM Team, with a clear charter outlining roles, responsibilities, and reporting procedures
• Threat awareness training: Comprehensive training for all employees, including early identification of behaviors of concern, reporting protocols, and emergency response activation
• Policy development: Guidance for healthcare facilities to establish a written policy and workflow for managing threats, including documentation and record-keeping processes
• Victim advocacy: Provision of support and counseling for victims and those affected by potential threats

Mark Reed, Council on Guidelines member, stated:

IAHSS is committed to ensuring that healthcare facilities are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to protect their employees, patients, and visitors from potential threats. Our new guidelines are based on the latest research and best practices in threat management and are designed to foster a safer and more secure healthcare environment.

The updated Threat Management Guidelines [PDF file] encourage healthcare facilities to take a proactive approach to threat mitigation. This includes ongoing training, reviewing threat management trends, and conducting after-action debriefings to continually improve processes.

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The report shares collective insights from end-users, technology partners, and the company’s own security experts in order to help clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex business environment with ever-evolving technology. It offers insights on emerging technologies; artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics; cybersecurity and data privacy; and cloud migration.

The survey lists these four trends shaping the security industry in 2024:

1. Data-backed insights for cross-organizational growth
2. Rise of cloud migration and hardware-free architecture
3. Smarter, faster and more comprehensive security technology
4. The era of verification

Highlights of the survey include:

• 41% of organizations leverage their electronic security systems to drive operational efficiencies and increase cost savings.
• 85% use security technology for predicting and preventing threats.
• 86% use subscription-based electronic security services (e.g. service plans, monitoring and maintenance).

The survey indicates a keen interest in emerging security technologies, with 86% of organizations “very” or “extremely” interested in investing in them. Respondents said they were currently leveraging (or interested in investing in) the following:

• Cloud computing: 67% (18%)
• Adaptive technology: 48% (22%)
• Artificial intelligence (AI): 46% (21%)
• Predictive analytics: 40% (26%)

To view the complete 2024 Global Technology Outlook Report, visit Securitas Technology. Securitas Technology, part of Securitas, is a global provider of integrated end-to-end electronic security systems that protect, connect, and optimize businesses of all types and sizes, delivered by more than 13,000 colleagues in 40 countries.

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The report shares collective insights from end-users, technology partners, and the company’s own security experts in order to help clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex business environment with ever-evolving technology. It offers insights on emerging technologies; artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics; cybersecurity and data privacy; and cloud migration.

The survey lists these four trends shaping the security industry in 2024:

1. Data-backed insights for cross-organizational growth
2. Rise of cloud migration and hardware-free architecture
3. Smarter, faster and more comprehensive security technology
4. The era of verification

Highlights of the survey include:

• 41% of organizations leverage their electronic security systems to drive operational efficiencies and increase cost savings.
• 85% use security technology for predicting and preventing threats.
• 86% use subscription-based electronic security services (e.g. service plans, monitoring and maintenance).

The survey indicates a keen interest in emerging security technologies, with 86% of organizations “very” or “extremely” interested in investing in them. Respondents said they were currently leveraging (or interested in investing in) the following:

• Cloud computing: 67% (18%)
• Adaptive technology: 48% (22%)
• Artificial intelligence (AI): 46% (21%)
• Predictive analytics: 40% (26%)

To view the complete 2024 Global Technology Outlook Report, visit Securitas Technology. Securitas Technology, part of Securitas, is a global provider of integrated end-to-end electronic security systems that protect, connect, and optimize businesses of all types and sizes, delivered by more than 13,000 colleagues in 40 countries.

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Property owners and facility managers must be aware that all smart buildings are innately vulnerable to cyberattacks. While informational technology and telecom are well developed within the cybersecurity realm, the same cannot be said for much of the operating technology found in smart buildings.

Within a typical office building, there could be 20 independent networks vulnerable to hacking. On average, only five or six are highly secured.

Once a system is hacked, cybercriminals could manipulate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; infiltrate sprinkler systems; and exploit smart access technology, such as intelligent credentials and contactless building access. Data hacking is another area of concern. Passwords and personal information can become compromised, leading to identity or intellectual theft. There is also the real possibility of a cyberthief holding the systems or data hostage until a ransom is paid.

The repercussions can last for years.

Key steps building owners and managers can take to bolster an asset’s cybersecurity profile include:

• Building infrastructure such as internal routers, hardwired cables and closed-circuit lot devices to secure the building automation systems,
• Segregating BAS and subsystems on different systems to reduce vulnerabilities,
• Consulting with a cybersecurity company specializing in installing systems that make cyberattacks more challenging,
• Investing in advanced identification and access management systems to flag vulnerabilities,
• Securing the access chain by requiring anyone with access to the BAS systems – third-party vendors, remote security monitors or life safety systems technicians – to follow the asset’s internal cybersecurity measures,
• Educating building tenants and property managers on what they can do to prevent cyberattacks, and
• Understanding and monitoring any changes to the asset’s cybercrime insurance coverage.

Many building owners may be surprised to learn they are not sufficiently covered by insurance if a cyberattack were to occur. In addition, owners and FMs might have a limited understanding about the risk of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) threats, insurance coverage, and what accountability they bear if a cyber incident were to occur.

The unfortunate truth, however, is that blanket property insurance policies likely do not provide the necessary scale of coverage. As insurers have limited visibility into a building’s IT/OT infrastructure, they more often prefer to rely upon the expertise within their cyber underwriting teams to assess risks and provide coverage based on those findings. This has resulted in traditional property and casualty insurers removing cyber inclusion from their product lines.

These exclusions may not be widely known or understood until it is too late.

By removing cybersecurity coverage from the blanket property insurance policies, FMs must explore cyber-specific coverage, a stand-alone marketplace that is rapidly growing and can be difficult to navigate.

As part of vetting what level of protection a property or campus holds, building owners should begin by asking basic policy questions, including:

• What cyber coverage is currently included or excluded?
• What is the appropriate level of coverage for each property in a portfolio?
• Does the current policy provide coverage for in-building OT, as well as IT assets?
• What is the expected down time impacting both the physical asset’s damage from a cyber event, as well as business interruption exposure/loss of rents and extra expenses?

However, simply identifying coverage gaps and seeking to fill them is sometimes easier
said than done.

The main challenge for securing standalone cyber insurance is that this type of policy is coming out of a hard market cycle — one marked by a rise in cyber claims that continues to develop in terms of frequency and severity. In this environment, insurers are forced to reevaluate their underwriting results and are keenly focused on identifying and evaluating the adequacy of individual cybersecurity profiles. This investigation work can result in insufficient coverage capacity for a buyer if sufficient cybersecurity protocols are not in place as well as rising premiums.

The good news is that insurance brokers with financial risk specialists have resources to better adapt to new threats and gauge the risk of exposure in advance of a market submission. To  accomplish this, however, a careful evaluation of a property’s existing security posture must be analyzed to see if it qualifies for more comprehensive cyber insurance.

Underwriters will evaluate several key security controls before being able to offer cybersecurity insurance policies that match appropriate levels of risk between the insurer and property owner. All systems must be vetted to ensure the property is appropriately secured to avoid painful issues down the road.

These controls include:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
• Patch management
• Secure remote access
• Incident response plans
• Disaster recovery plans
• Backups and email filtering
• Properly architected user management and service accounts
• Phishing and cyber awareness training for all employees

Properly securing a building begins with the right network platform to serve a secure foundation. Taking a security-first approach to an in-building network helps cover all cybersecurity requirements, not just some of them. A modern approach to this problem is to adopt zero trust network access (ZTNA) models and solutions that not only help secure operations for IT/OT functions but also collect management and reporting information needed to make sound security decisions. This solution must be adaptive and provide proactive security that meets the challenges of an ever-changing threat landscape.

It is also critically important to select an intelligent building management platform offering a single screen view to gain important visibility into all security systems, networks and endpoints. This ensures that the entire infrastructure is monitored from end to end, and the architecture provides the necessary intelligence to easily manage and ensure compliance according to government regulations for cyber insurance qualification purposes. Finally, understand that cybersecurity measures should be deployed and managed to not impact the usability or manageability of IT/OT systems. The goal should be to integrate security tools and processes that are completely transparent from an end-user perspective to ensure users and devices efficiently function on the network.

Smart building solutions for both IT and OT use cases help produce impactful economic and intrinsic value when cybersecurity is placed at the forefront. Not only does this line of thinking help prevent cyberattacks, but it also offers a better path toward rapid recovery.

According to a recent report from Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is expected to account for a loss of US$10.5 trillion globally by 2025 — a staggering number. Having a cyber insurance policy in place will help lessen the impact that an attack/breach may have on the digital operations of building owners and operators. To achieve this goal, it is important to consult with an expert that understands the unique needs of commercial real estate and how to most effectively mitigate risks that exist within building and campus digital infrastructures.

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A smart badge is a transportable multi-mode tracker in the form of an ID card that contains embedded sensors that combine a Wi-Fi sniffer, GPS, BLE, low-power GPS, and LoRaWAN TDoA geolocation technologies to give precise and continuous geolocation. A smart badge is an excellent gadget for workforce safety and security tracking, zone notification, and surveillance. It is lightweight and simple to use, with a single button providing access to many features that can be customized to meet customers’ requirements.

Smart badges are widely utilized in government and healthcare applications because they improve patient security and privacy, give secure access to emergency medical information, and prevent healthcare fraud. A smart badge also has a panic button to alert an emergency discreetly and the badge’s position, which aids in tracking the individual in hospitals. Government entities often use smart badges to adhere to government regulations, as well as to confirm a person’s identification and physically allow the badge holder to a facility.

Smart badges use cutting-edge machine learning and IoT technologies to improve security and enable new functionalities. Moreover, a smart badge offers information about who is accessing what, when, and where, eliminating the danger of a security breach due to negligence or oversight. As a result of these reasons, the demand for smart badges for government and healthcare applications is increasing, which is predicted to propel the global smart badges market during the forecast period.

Another major factor driving the global market is the growing demand for wearable devices.

Competitive landscape

Key players in the smart badges market are focused on technological advances and expansion to meet the increasing demand for smart badges. Furthermore, many start-ups are competing in the global market with their innovative offerings.

• Spintly, a start-up based in the United States, provides cloud-based electronic identification-based access control systems. The start-up offers users smart access control technology, which allows them to turn smartphones into access cards. It has proximity-based access, offline support, and is compatible with a variety of locking methods. These products communicate with a companion application that is compatible with iOS and Android devices and allows users to control them remotely.
• Bizzabo, an event management platform, acquired Klik, a wearable technology start-up based in Montreal. Klik’s wearable goods, which appear to be standard badges or wristbands, include built-in technology that allows for the touchless transmission of contact information and tracking visitors’ behavior, such as time spent in booths. They can also initiate recommendations, such as workshops or networking opportunities.

Regional analysis

North America is leading the worldwide market. The United States is providing the most revenue-generation opportunities in the regional market. However, the market for smart badges in Asia Pacific and Europe is witnessing significant demand growth.

More valuable insights on offer

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global smart badges market, presenting historical demand data (2018 to 2022) and forecast statistics for the period of 2023 to 2033.

The study divulges essential insights on the market on the basis of type (smart badges with display, smart badges without display), communication (contact badges, contactless badges), and application (corporate, retail & hospitality, government & healthcare, event & entertainment, other applications), across five major regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa).

These insights are based on the Smart Badges Market report by Fact.MR.

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Security expert Abloy UK supplied NHS Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, with the eCLIQ electromechanical solution for their on-site facilities management and security.

NHS Raigmore provides an extensive range of healthcare services — surgical, medical, clinical support — and with eight floors, over 2,800 staff and over 450 beds, the hospital is very busy every day. It is the only District General Hospital in the NHS Highland Partnership, which owns over 200 sites throughout their Health Board area.

The sheer size of the hospital estate requires a large facilities management team to oversee building maintenance and environmental services. Plant rooms, high and low voltage rooms and roof hatches are accessed daily to maintain the building — along with a helipad that needs securing and opening when air ambulances need to land.

NHS Raigmore approached Abloy UK to discuss a key management solution that would meet the latest regulations, has the capability to monitor the use of keys and can easily revoke access from lost or stolen keys. 

Abloy UK recommended eCLIQ, a web-based locking and key management solution. The system was installed throughout the estate, with 82 locks fitted by Raigmore’s facilities management team and 42 keys issued to staff and contractors. Installation was easy as the cylinders do not require a power output.

eCLIQ uses web management software providing valuable insights into when, where and by whom the keys are used. Facilities management have a detailed overview and control of access across the hospital as the system logs the time and user of the key every time it’s used. If problems occur, it is easy to determine who last entered the room to find out more information in a substantially reduced time.

The risk of unauthorized access is reduced with web management software controlling the validation and revoking of keys. Likewise, former employees who do not return their key will no longer have access because their key can simply be removed from the system.

eCLIQ provides life-saving operational benefits during air emergencies, as staff no longer need to locate the helipad key to access the pad. All authorized personnel can use their specific key to unlock the pad, which can prove vital when time is a factor in giving a patient life-saving care.

Colin McEwen, design lead — Estate Management, NHS Raigmore, remarked:

New legislation required connectivity of assets. Rory at Abloy suggested eCLIQ as a solution, and the mechanical locks combined with the benefits that connectivity offers have proved a great asset to the hospital.

Previously, when a key gets lost, the only way to ensure security was maintained was to change our cylinders. eCLIQ has negated this, saving us money and time. We have set access to coincide with staff shift-patterns and any attempted access out of these times is revoked. The system has also made it easier to see who is accessing rooms.

 We found the cylinders easy to install, and the support provided by Abloy has helped us transition smoothly to this electromechanical system.

Rory Grant, regional specification manager at Abloy UK, added:

eCLIQ offers Raigmore Hospital a high level of security and is ideal for areas such as plant rooms and roof hatches. The system has performed very well since installation, and we are optimistic about extending the system throughout the NHS Highland.

For further information about eCLIQ and the full range of Abloy solutions available, visit the company’s website.

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TAL Global, an international risk assessment and security consulting firm based in Silicon Valley, conducted the survey.

More than 1,000 people, including facilities managers (FMs), were invited to participate. Of those, 106 people completed the entire study.

Among the other findings were the following:

• 66% report their staff is more concerned about crime today than before the pandemic.
• Asked if building security is playing a role in getting employees back to work, about 38% of the respondents said yes, 38% said no, and the remainder, 24%, said they were unsure.
• These findings parallel the results of another question. When asked if building security plays a role in retaining and attracting new tenants, once again, 38% said yes, 38% no, with the remainder unsure.
• As to addressing concerns about crime and building security, 56% indicated they would “install or update cameras and surveillance systems,” 22% said they would “hire security guards,” and 37% said they plan to “install or update their alarm systems.”

Along with these results, “a third said they plan to have a risk assessment conducted,” says Johnathan Tal, CEO of TAL Global. “The value of conducting a risk assessment is that it identifies potential hazards, suggesting ways these can be minimized or eliminated.”

Tal adds that the survey also allowed respondents to offer their own suggestions on addressing crime and building security. Many people took advantage of this option. Among their responses were the following:

• Offer situational awareness training for building tenants.
• Offer active shooter and firearms training.
• Install electronic locks on all doors, inside and out.
• Send our regular crime updates and personal safety tips to tenants.

Tal concludes:

The big takeaway is how concerns about crime have escalated since the pandemic. My advice to concerned facility managers is to start with a professionally conducted risk assessment. That way you know exactly what needs to be accomplished to ensure your safety and those using your facility.

Visit TAL Global’s Knowledge Center for guidance on today’s security issues. Recent posts include:

• New Security Trends for 2022
• Readying Religious Facilities Against Armed Intruders
• Welcome to the New World of Building Security Apps
• ADVISORY: 10 Things to Do Until the Police Arrive
• Here are 9 De-Escalation Techniques You Should Know
• Here They Are: Our Workplace Violence Polls Results

TAL Global has been protecting human and physical assets around the globe for 24 years. The company includes a team of world-class, interdisciplinary security experts that join forces to identify, analyze, and mitigate risks for their clients from every vulnerability — inside and out.

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Since the onset of the pandemic, commercial building  owners and facility managers have invested significant time, energy and resources — largely focused on indoor air quality — to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to assist in creating a safer and healthier environment for employees, customers and other occupants. This is good progress on the journey to a healthier building experience, but there are other vulnerabilities that must be addressed to complete the vision.  Recent innovations in access control and mobile credentialing technology have played an important role in fortifying building health and safety during the pandemic.

Mobile credentialing decreases the demand for keypads, touchscreens, keycards and fobs by transferring access control capabilities to Bluetooth-enabled smartphones. This allows employees to move throughout the building without putting their hands on common touchpoints; thus reducing opportunities for transmission of surface-borne viruses and microorganisms. Facial biometric readers have evolved to now recognize users wearing masks. Occupancy management software can alert FMs when rooms are at capacity and even restrict access to those rooms to avoid overcrowding.

This technology has undoubtedly helped reduce the spread of COVID-19, but as the pandemic slowly wanes, FMs who made these investments — or those who may be skeptical of making such investments — may be thinking about the utility of these technologies in a post-COVID-19 world. Occupant health and wellness will not end with COVID-19. The pandemic has changed understanding and awareness of healthy environments in ways that will outlast this crisis, and it is the responsibility of businesses and organizations to maintain a lasting and comprehensive focus on occupant health and safety. Fortunately, these examples of access control and mobile credentialing solutions, along with other similar and connected technologies, can help FMs address many issues related to building health, safety and security and deliver a reliable return on investment.

Opening the door to a healthier occupant experience

Since the pandemic started, people developed a stronger awareness of the health and safety of indoor environments. Additionally, it became apparent that the precautions taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 helped mitigate the spread of other illnesses. For example, during last year’s flu season, the CDC reported about 2,038 positive flu cases in the U.S., down tremendously from the estimated 38 million likely cases from the year before. Researchers say this drop was largely driven by mask wearing and social distancing. Seeing the positive health benefits of taking these small actions should permanently change mindsets toward preventing sickness and help contribute to reducing illness-related lost productivity, which costs U.S. employers US$575 billion annually, according to the Integrated Benefits Institute. When people enter indoor spaces, they will be more likely to consider how the conditions within that building impact their health.

For FMs wondering how they can get hesitant employees and customers more comfortable with returning to commercial buildings, adopting these solutions shows occupants that the business is dedicated to health and safety. Hand sanitizer stations and laminated signs are not enough. Owners and FMs must demonstrate a thorough, lasting commitment to healthy building initiatives that instill a sense of health and security that is noticed by occupants.

Before office employees enter the front door, tools like mobile self-assessment surveys allow credentialed employees to evaluate their health symptoms and self-report their positive COVID-19 status. Based on the results, these tools can then automatically restrict building access for the employee for a predefined quarantine period. The health surveys can provide employees with real-time anonymized notifications if they have recently come into contact with another user that self-assessed as being COVID-19 positive.

When occupants arrive, entry point control tools can restrict visitor access until they complete a self-assessment or check in at an approved entry point. This makes it easier for an organization to screen for masks and complete other daily wellness checks. Biometric tools can be used for contactless check-ins without the need to remove masks. These tools also help enforce mask mandates, which can make occupants feel at ease knowing these rules are being taken seriously. As occupants move throughout the building, incorporating digital signage that displays indoor air quality or the occupancy limits of a room tells those inside that the building’s health environment is being monitored and adjusted in real time.

While coronavirus variants have been a tough reminder of the pandemic’s peaks and valleys, some FMs are already thinking about how these technologies can add value in the eventual post-COVID world. That is because these technologies were becoming best practices even before the pandemic, and their utility and application will continue to expand.

Healthy also means safe and secure

Protecting occupants from illness is only one facet of what makes them feel happy, healthy and safe. When it comes to building health, it is just as important for FMs to incorporate solutions that help mitigate stress related to concerns over the occupants’ physical safety. This is backed by reports that have examined the links between the effects of stress and immune systems, as well as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which tells state that safety and security are among a person’s most fundamental needs, second only to human physiological needs.

This good news for FMs is that many of the commercial building technologies purchased to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 also enhance building security and improve an occupant’s sense of safety and well-being. Here are several examples.

• Cardholder Self-Assessment: As U.S. COVID-19 vaccination rates climb, there may be less use for health assessment surveys. However, this same survey technology can be adapted to screen contractors and other visitors and keep any unwanted personnel out of mission-critical areas. Also, companies can use mobile surveys to grant access based on whether a contractor’s safety training is up to date or if they have signed a non-disclosure agreement.
• Mobile Credentialing: By granting building access through smartphones and Bluetooth technology, rather than keycards and fobs, mobile credentials provide numerous security benefits in the post-pandemic world. First, mobile phones add security with pin codes, fingerprint or face Second, when the mobile credential is passed to the reader, an encryption layer secures its transmission. Aside from the added security, individuals are more protective of their smartphones than keycards or fobs, and therefore less likely to lose them or leave them at home. Once this technology is fully realized, users will be able to move freely throughout a building without needing to remove their phones from their bags or pockets.
• Occupancy Management: Access control technology such as entry point controls or maximum volume alerts in certain areas can greatly increase building security by limiting unauthorized access to buildings, hallways or Additionally, they allow FM personnel to manage entry and exit to certain areas in the event of an emergency.
• Biometric Tools: In addition to detecting masks, biometric tools can provide face, eye and fingerprint scanning and other forms of multifactor authentication to enhance the security of a building.

The benefits of healthier buildings

Implementing technologies that assess occupants’ daily health, control access to the building and specific locations within it, and reduce touchpoints not only improves employees’ well-being; the commitment to a healthy building environment can save companies millions of dollars a year. According to that same Integrated Benefits Institute article, poor health costs U.S. employers upward of US$575 billion a year.

FMs that invest in technology designed to help reduce the chances of employees becoming ill by reducing touchpoints and maintaining safe distances can also expect to see a boost in overall productivity. This is supported by a recent study that claims healthy buildings can be tied to better overall cognitive function.

In addition to helping prevent losses related to illnesses like the flu by reducing touch-points, access control technology increases overall building security, which can improve the mental health of its occupants by giving them a stronger sense of safety and peace of mind. This can help reduce stress-related health ailments and mitigate losses related to presenteeism and absenteeism.

For years, building innovation meant designing buildings to be greener or smarter, but since the pandemic, there is newfound focus on melding these initiatives into a cohesive healthy building experience for occupants. The investments made to date provide a solid foundation on this journey, but they are just that — the foundation. It is time to accelerate implementation of building systems that get employees, customers, students and others back where they can contribute productively and safely.

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