AS 4485.1:2021 pdf Security for healthcare facilities Part 1: General requirements
1.1 Scope
This Standard sets out the minimum requirements for healthcare facilities in developing policy,
principles and procedures for the protection of —
(a) patients, workers and others required to attend such facilities;
(b) drugs and other controlled substances;
(c) information; and
(d) property owned or controlled by the facility, and the property of patients, workers and others
at the facility.Together, AS 4485.1 and AS 4485.2 provide requirements and guidance for the development and implementation of policy, principles and procedures for all public and private hospitals, facilities in remote locations, primary care facilities, community and residential aged-care facilities, and other locations where healthcare is delivered.
1.2 Application
This Standard is primarily for use by people who have direct responsibility for developing and managing security arrangements at a healthcare facility. It is designed to be used as a framework for developing security policy, systems and practices unique to individual facilities. Security controls should not be applied indiscriminately. They should harmonize with other operational requirements of the facility and, in some cases, be tailored to specific areas within the facility. Security procedures shall not impinge on the quality or effectiveness of patient care services.
1.3 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document.
NOTE Documents for informative purposes are listed in the Bibliography.
AS 4811, Employment screening
AS 5182, Vendor credentialing for healthcare facilities
AS/NZS 1158.3.1, Lighting for roads and public spaces, Part 3.1: Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting-
Performance and design requirements
AS/NZS 1680.2.1, Interior and workplace lighting, Part 2.1: Specific applications一Circulation spaces and other general areas
AS/NZS 1680.2.5, Interior and workplace lighting, Part 2.5: Hospital and medical tasks
AS/NZS 1680.3, Interior and workplace lighting, Part 3: Measurement, calculation and presentation of
photometric data
AS/NZS 1680.4, Interior and workplace lighting, Part 4: Maintenance of electric lighting systems
2.1 General
The aim of a healthcare facility’s security function is to ensure that a vigorous security policy and plan is implemented throughout the facility. Where appropriate, security policies and procedures should be developed to address the specific needs of individual areas within the facility.
2.2 Security framework
2.2.1 Development
Each healthcare facility shall develop a security framework, including policy, procedures and
protocols, to effectively address security risks. Each facility shall establish governance strategies and
systems that identify the responsibilities and accountabilities of all personnel concerned within the
security framework.
The individual roles and responsibilities of those involved in the maintenance of safe conditions should be documented in position descriptions.
2.2.2 Management
Facilities shall designate appropriate personnel to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the security function. Ideally, such a person should have expertise and qualifications in, and understanding of, the application of security principles. This is particularly important for large healthcare facilities,such as major hospitals, where a coordinated approach to security throughout the facility is highly desirable.
2.2.3 Employees
Facilities shall assign specific responsibilities to personnel for the application of security arrangements within their areas of operation and/or authority in accordance with the facility’s security policy and procedures. This will include a specific duty of care for themselves, other workers and other persons, such as patients, for whom they are responsible.
2.3 Security instructions
Instructions on security policy, procedures and practices shall be provided to all relevant personnel upon commencement and when a change in policy and/or procedures occurs. Security and safety related information for patients and visitors using the healthcare facilities should be provided as appropriate. This information may be distributed in a written form [e.g. brochures or signage) or communicated verbally by workers responsible for providing such instructions, e.g. fire, safety and/or security officer/s. Documented security instructions shall be complemented by regular security education sessions (see Clause 11.1) for workers and others as appropriate.
AS 4485.1:2021 pdf Security for healthcare facilities Part 1: General requirements
