CASE STUDY | CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | USA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a nonprofit, academic, pediatric medical center that provides more than 97,000 children with pediatric health care. Approximately 4,800 employees and 600 medical staff provide healthcare for the 12 building campus spanning two blocks. The main campus consists of the hospital building, Saban Research Institute (two buildings), plus four buildings that house clinics, administration offices and the Emergency Department. It’s one of only eight children’s hospitals in the nation ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. When its current system could not meet their expanding requirements, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Administrator of Support Services Miguel Gonzalez, investigated replacement systems. After reviewing all the major manufacturer’s systems, he chose AMAG Technology’s Symmetry Enterprise Security Management System. “We needed the ability to issue multiple layers of access and unlimited access levels, and AMAG’s Symmetry provided both,” said Gonzalez. “Being such a large facility, it created challenges for us to create new reader groups to accommodate individuals who needed special access. We also had challenges with the number of card holders that the system would hold. We were planning on upgrading anyway, so we looked at new systems and chose AMAG.” Symmetry was designed to operate across their multimillion dollar IT network, eliminating the need to install a separate proprietary fiber optic network. Marquis Systems, Inc. designed the system. “The whole idea was to have a single card solution to get anywhere on campus,” said Vasken Arzoumanian, project engineer, Marquis Systems, Inc. “They also needed an integrated system which included access control, alarm monitoring, video, and badging in a single platform which AMAG’s Symmetry provides. We were able to leverage their IT network and save money.” ASSI Security, Inc. installed the security system. ASSI Security is a leading access control and security systems integrator and the largest independently owned systems integration company in Southern California. Arzoumanian designed the system to operate with AMAG’s Symmetry Video Management hardware. Existing Panasonic analog cameras operate via a Pelco switch and interface to Symmetry hardware. All new cameras are IP and connect directly to the video system. A six TB server is used for video retention. “We gave them the platform and investigation tools to record all video and they can review it at any time,” said Arzoumanian. Symmetry provided remote access allowing Gonzalez to login off site to monitor security activity. He can review activity or send commands from his laptop. A Security Operations Center located in the parking structure is staffed 24 hours a day and manages Symmetry Enterprise. Two officers monitor the system and print badges. More officers are posted at fixed locations throughout the campus. Rovers also secure the perimeter of the buildings and outside areas. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | USA "It’s a lot of work to secure areas that are mandated by the government, but we manage it all with Symmetry Enterprise." Securing the Children’s Hospital Marquis Systems, Inc. recommended securing the campus using a layered approach. Symmetry secures all points of entry for employees or deliveries via HID proximity card readers and video. Employees present an ID badge to enter. The main lobby remains open to the public during daytime hours. Symmetry creates a separation between the public and patient and staff areas. A second layer secures critical areas such as the surgery suite, public elevators, stairwells, and staff and patient transfer elevators. “All elevators have card readers,” said Gonzalez. “During the day we leave them open for visitors to use to get to patient floors. After visiting hours, card readers are activated automatically and only parents who have visitor badges can access those floors.” After hours, patients enter through the emergency department doors where a 24 hour security officer determines admittance. Nurse’s stations are equipped with workstation monitors to view live video. Nurses view people who want to enter and grant access remotely. Panasonic cameras integrated with Symmetry provide the ability to watch hallway traffic and make informed decisions. control the dispensing of drugs. A person needs not only approved access to use these machines by hospital management, but access to the room where they are stored.” Symmetry Combats Terrorist Threats Two large research buildings house millions of dollars worth of equipment and medical research. High-risk areas in both buildings prompted the need to increase security. Three rooms containing blood irradiators, which the U.S. Department of Energy determined was a high risk for terrorists, need a card swipe plus iris biometric to enter. The retina scanner integrates with Symmetry so if someone attempts to gain access who shouldn’t, an alarm sounds. “It’s a lot of work to secure areas that are mandated by the government, but we manage to do it all with the Symmetry Enterprise system,” said Gonzalez. Future The campus will continue to expand and move from analog to IP cameras. As new off campus clinics are added, they will all use IP cameras. Symmetry Enterprise Security Management Card holders: 10,184 HID Proximity readers: 417 Panasonic Cameras: 244 “Multiple nurses’ stations view cameras associated with their departments to see who they are allowing onto their floors,” said Gonzalez. “We don’t expect the security officer in the Operations Center to monitor 250 cameras. This way we have more eyes and the nurses aren’t surprised by unannounced guests. It’s worked well.” A third layer of security protects the pharmacies and drug supply rooms. “Pharmacies and drug supply rooms have card readers to protect them,” said Arzoumanian. “In addition, Pysix machines tightly 06/12 © AMAG Technology 2012. 2012 . AMAG Technology Inc. is a subsidiary of G4S Technology Limited. AMAG Technology sales@amag.com www.amag.com