❓ A parliamentary question regarding the feasibility and safety of installing swipe card access to patient rooms in the Armadale Mental Health Service High Dependency Unit, and whether incidents have occurred due to current access arrangements. The answer acknowledges feasibility but raises significant safety concerns and costs.
AnsweredQoN 8281Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Armadale Mental Health Service High Dependency Unit where patients are admitted to mixed wards and where patients are unable to lock their doors, and I ask:
(a) could swipe cards be used that allow the patient and all staff to enter a patient's room;
(b) how much would such a swipe card system cost to install; and
(c) under the present system, have there been any reported incidents caused by allowing patients with mental health problems to have free access to one another's rooms?
(a) could swipe cards be used that allow the patient and all staff to enter a patient's room;
(b) how much would such a swipe card system cost to install; and
(c) under the present system, have there been any reported incidents caused by allowing patients with mental health problems to have free access to one another's rooms?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2012
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Mental Health
Response time
70 days
(a) Yes.
(b) Armadale Health Service Engineering Department has provided an estimate of $5000.00 per door. However it should be noted that he installation of a swipe card system would create new risk factors to be considered and mitigated
A swipe card may be able to be sharpened which would be considered a high risk in the HDU setting.
The electronic lock system in case of fault goes to a 'stay lock' condition which will require key lock overrides to be installed.
Destruction or loss of swipe cards would entail ongoing consumable and administrative cost for replacement and reprogramming.
The installation of the swipe system would not necessarily prevent a forcible 'through door' entry to a room behind a patient as they enter.
Current risk mitigation includes high observation levels including high staff to patient ratio.
Additional viewing angle increased by the installation of convex mirror
Sensor light installed to alert staff to movement in the area where patient rooms are located during the evening
(c) Yes.
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(b) Armadale Health Service Engineering Department has provided an estimate of $5000.00 per door. However it should be noted that he installation of a swipe card system would create new risk factors to be considered and mitigated
A swipe card may be able to be sharpened which would be considered a high risk in the HDU setting.
The electronic lock system in case of fault goes to a 'stay lock' condition which will require key lock overrides to be installed.
Destruction or loss of swipe cards would entail ongoing consumable and administrative cost for replacement and reprogramming.
The installation of the swipe system would not necessarily prevent a forcible 'through door' entry to a room behind a patient as they enter.
Current risk mitigation includes high observation levels including high staff to patient ratio.
Additional viewing angle increased by the installation of convex mirror
Sensor light installed to alert staff to movement in the area where patient rooms are located during the evening
(c) Yes.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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