El Centro Regional Medical Center
Key Metrics
15 minute investigation time (reduced from several hours)
83% reduction in workplace violence incidents (12+ per month to just 1-2 per month)
$25,000 to millions avoided in potential fines by documenting and proving regulatory compliance with Verkada’s video security system
Background
El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC), the largest hospital in Imperial County, serves a diverse population across a 5,000-square-mile rural area. The hospital has recently expanded its facilities to include a new Ancillary Services Building (ASB) that provides warehousing, a cafeteria, and other support services.
As the Emergency Preparedness Director, William (Bill) DuBois oversees security operations, disaster preparedness, and workplace violence prevention. “My primary focus is ensuring the safety and security of our patients and staff," DuBois explains. "This is supported by the strategic deployment of Verkada.”
The Challenge
Located 10 miles north of the Mexican border, ECRMC is committed to maintaining a secure environment while streamlining operations and enhancing patient care. With the hospital's expansion to accommodate more patients, it became essential for more efficient and precise incident documentation to meet regulatory healthcare standards such as EMTALA.
The Solution: Why Verkada?
Under Bill DuBois' direction, the ECRMC’s emergency preparedness and workplace violence prevention initiatives are complemented by real-time video monitoring and rapid response systems. ECRMC deployed Verkada’s integrated security solutions to support safety and operational workflows:
Hybrid Cloud Cameras: Installed throughout the hospital to document incidents and increase visibility, each camera features local storage for up to 365 days of footage, with seamless options for unlimited cloud archiving and scheduled cloud backups to help support data integrity and accessibility.
Air Quality Sensors: Positioned in critical environments such as sterile processing rooms and laboratories, these sensors automate the monitoring of air quality to help maintain optimal conditions. This negates the need for manual checks, thus saving time and reducing human error, while supporting strict compliance with health and safety regulations.
VX52 Viewing Station: This live monitoring solution streams up to 300 camera feeds, allowing security personnel to effectively prioritize their responses based on real-time activity and threat levels.
Mobile Command App: This smartphone application enables security officers to access live footage on-the-go and coordinate rapid responses directly from their mobile devices, significantly improving the speed and efficiency of the hospital’s security operations.
Panic Buttons: Distributed to staff in secluded areas handling sensitive information, these devices provide a discreet method for summoning immediate security assistance, enhancing staff safety and incident response times.
Key Benefits
Protecting Patient Privacy Alongside Security
Verkada's system addresses the critical balance between maintaining robust security and protecting patient privacy. Features like Live Face Blur and Selective Face Blur for Archives pr
eserve the privacy of patients and staff in recorded footage, while allowing security personnel to monitor and react to live situations.
"The ability to safeguard our patients' privacy while protecting their safety is paramount. Verkada’s privacy features provide peace of mind to our patients and support alignment with HIPAA regulations, helping meet compliance and ethical standards without compromise,” DuBois highlights.
Workplace Violence Reduction
Strategically placed cameras throughout the facility have contributed to an 83% reduction in workplace violence incidents, creating a safer environment for both staff and patients. The visibility of security measures has a deterrent effect on potential aggressors, while also facilitating faster response and resolution of incidents.
"By placing cameras in previously uncovered high-risk areas, we’ve not only reduced the incidence of workplace violence but also used the footage as a training tool to educate our staff on safety protocols.”
Enhanced Security and Efficiency
The deployment of Verkada's hybrid cloud cameras and mobile command applications has transformed ECRMC's approach to security. Real-time footage and AI-powered analytics allow the security team to swiftly identify and respond to incidents, reducing potential threats while supporting staff and patient safety.
“The transformation in our security operations is profound. We've moved from reactive to proactive management, significantly cutting down the response times and increasing overall site safety.”
Regulatory Compliance with Objective Video Evidence
Verkada’s security system was integral to proving ECRMC’s compliance with regulatory healthcare standards, such as EMTALA. In one notable instance, recorded footage verified compliance during an audit, preventing fines that start at $25,000 and could have escalated into millions of dollars. Additionally, the system provides objective video evidence for Human Resource (HR) investigations, such as employee timekeeping, significantly reducing claim resolutions times.
"The real-time documentation capabilities of Verkada not only assist in audits but have simplified our internal processes, making compliance a seamless aspect of our daily operations.”
Environmental Monitoring for Healthcare
Verkada’s air quality sensors automate the monitoring of temperature, humidity, and formaldehyde levels in critical settings such as laboratories. These sensors eliminate the need for manual checks by maintenance staff, previously required up to five times a day, and help uphold regulatory standards essential for areas like sterile processing rooms. This integration supports compliance and enhances situational awareness through real-time data and alerts.
“The sensors simplify maintaining a safe, compliant environment in our critical care areas. By automating data collection, this technology allows us to uphold high standards with less manual effort, significantly streamlining our operations."
Enhanced Quantifiable Results and Expanded Impact
The impact at ECRMC has been significant, especially pertaining to safety and return on investment:
Reduction in Workplace Violence Incidents: From 12+ incidents monthly to 1-2, enhancing staff and patient safety.
Decreased Investigation Times: From several hours to 15 minutes, in turn speeding up incident resolution times.
Financial Savings: Avoidance of potential fines – from $25,000 to millions – by providing evidence of compliance during regulatory audits.
"The quantifiable improvements are just part of the story. The real value lies in the increased sense of security among our staff and patients, and the improved ability to focus on providing top-notch medical care.”
Looking Back
ECRMC’s journey toward strengthening physical security operations began several years ago, led by Darryl Mark, Information Services Manager. Darryl’s goal was to implement a modern, cloud-based security system that could scale with the organization as it grew.
“Many of our facilities didn’t have cameras. The best thing—or rather, only thing—we could do there was to have security personnel onsite to monitor the buildings,” noted Mark. “With Verkada, we’ve been able to install nearly 200 cameras across parking lots, hospital entrances, the emergency room, and other critical areas. Every step to getting the system up and running has been really easy.”
Today, the ECRMC team relies on this system to manage security and respond quickly to incidents, keeping the medical center at the forefront of patient care and safety.
Looking Ahead
"Based on our experience with Verkada, I’d tell other healthcare organizations to just go for it,” DuBois concludes, “Whether for workplace violence prevention, inventory management, or regulatory compliance, the ROI speaks for itself. Plus, the 24/7 tech support is invaluable."
As ECRMC continues to expand its Ancillary Services Building, Verkada’s technology will remain critical to enhancing security and operational efficiency. With growth on the horizon, ECRMC is well-positioned to further improve outcomes through its partnership with Verkada.
