Security Improvements at Penn Highlands Elk

When patients come to the hospital, the last thing they should have to worry about is building security. At Penn Highlands Elk, patients can rest assured that their safety is taken seriously. A new security system has been installed and will be operational by early April.

“This is the newest system available,” explained Keith VanHorn, director of facilities management at Penn Highlands Elk.

To gain access to many of the doors at the hospital, Pinecrest Manor, the Medical Office Building and The Rehabilitation Center, a person will need a special badge. When the badge comes into proximity with the door, it will release the automatic locking mechanism.

“We have worked very closely with our staff and contractors to make sure everyone has appropriate access to their specific work areas,” said VanHorn.

According to VanHorn, hospital visitors should not notice a lot of changes to the doors they commonly use. Many of the entrances will remain unlocked during normal business hours. Here are the hours of the main doors.
• Main hospital lobby – open from 5:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (When locked, a courtesy phone located outside the entrance alerts a staff member.)
• Pinecrest Manor lobby – open 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Medical office building – open weekdays 7:45 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.; on weekends from 8:45 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.
• MRI suite – open weekdays 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Rehabilitation Center – open weekdays 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“Some people use the back entrance into the cafeteria,” said VanHorn. “This is one area where people will notice the change, as this door will be locked at all times. Any staff member will be able to gain entrance with his or her badge, but the public will no longer be able to enter there.”

“Our goal is to keep our patients and our employees safe,” said Rose Campbell, president of Penn Highlands Elk. “The new security system will go a long way toward helping us do that.”