Hospital Reviews Security After Fake Doctor Caught

Hospital Reviews Security After Fake Doctor Caught

Security at every level, from keycards to cameras, was deemed “not fit for purpose” following repeated trespasses by the same individual posing as staff over a six month period.

  • By Jordan Lutke
  • September 26, 2018

Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia is performing a complete, thorough review of their security measures in the wake of learning that a man stole credentials and posed as a doctor for six months in 2017.

Among the systems found to be faulty was the entire CCTV system, comprised of 640 cameras. The system is being wholly replaced as part of the security refresh, but had been identified as needing replacement before this incident.

The card access system, which allowed guests and staff to access otherwise restricted areas of the hospital, was found to be a security risk as well.  The system was only being audited once every few weeks, opening the door for misuse. A new daily check has been instituted to remedy this risk and make patients and staff feel safer.

The intruder managed to steal security cards and slip by undetected for long enough to spur concern amongst health officials like Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates, who said she worried that “if you just threw on a pair of scrubs, put a stethoscope around your neck, had a lanyard around your neck, you could still go around unchallenged in our hospitals.”

In addition to replacing the CCTV system and updating the card access system, the hospital has developed an 11-point action plan to implement recommendations. This plan is to be finalized in early 2019.

About the Author

Jordan Lutke is an intern with 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular