Enhance Security and Access Control with Automatic Doors For Hospitals

December 22, 2023

The top priority for all medical facilities should be, first and foremost, the security and safety of all staff, patients, and visitors. This means protection from all types of threats, such as theft, vandalism, assaults, and even the spread of disease.

Installing automatic doors is a great way to ensure your hospital is secure. High-quality automatic doors will give you control over the traffic in every building and room while providing a secure and easily accessible space for everyone.

A wide variety of touchless automatic door options are available to hospitals everywhere, giving everyone coming and going from the building peace of mind.


What Are Touchless Access Control Doors?

automatic door in a hospital

Advanced technology in the healthcare field has come a long way. These advancements are keeping all occupants safer and more secure while visiting the facilities, helping them avoid unnecessary exposure and ensuring optimal protection.

Touchless access control system doors are one of the best ways to keep healthcare facilities running smoothly while lowering the risks associated with entranceways, such as:
  • Avoiding the need to touch door knobs and handles that can harbor viruses and bacteria
  • Isolating people who are ill from others securely with airtight seals
  • Keeping hospitals flowing smoothly and efficiently without backing up foot traffic
  • Keeping intruders or criminals from entering secure patient rooms and other facility doors with automatic locks
  • Keeping the outdoor air out and the indoor air indoors
  • Providing access to disabled patients and complying with ADA guidelines
There are several benefits associated with touchless access control doors; above we’ve only named a few. However, the examples above should be plenty to get your attention and prove how valuable they can be.


Types of Automatic Access Control Doors for Healthcare Facilities

revolving door used in a hospital

A few different types of automatic door systems are available for healthcare facilities. These doors allow all occupants to enter and leave the rooms and the building without ever touching the doors. They offer an extensive layer of protection you can't get with other manual door styles.

You can choose from swing doors, folding doors, sliding doors, or revolving doors for every part of the hospital. Specific systems available for hospitals include:
  • Patient room systems
  • Pressure room systems
  • Intensive care systems
  • Critical care systems
  • Security door systems
"In the commercial industry: Automatic sliding doors are the most popular type of automatic doors, accounting for approximately 60% of installations" (swiftlane.com). An automatic sliding door system is so popular because it works quickly, seals well, and doesn't require additional space.

Other beneficial features of touchless access door controls in a healthcare facility include:
  • Remote access and control over door operations
  • Breakaway features
  • Self-closing components
  • Touchless sensors and hands-free openers
These types of door systems make it easier for employees to control patients' access to specific rooms, open doorways quicker during emergencies, and provide an effective and safe environment for everyone in the facility.
 

How Do Touchless Automatic Control Doors Work?

Hospital door

Touchless door systems utilize a variety of sensors and command mechanisms to control the operation of every entryway. An automatic door opener operates by sensing motions, lights, and weight or through remote instruction. Once activated, automatic doors will easily swing, slide, or rotate.

These systems can be customized to offer other amazing features that might be needed in one facility but not others, such as:
  • Specialty operations for heavy doors (like lead-lined doors in X-ray rooms)
  • Half-open-door operations for patients' room
  • Fire protection door systems
  • Card access
  • Smoke infiltration 
  • Self-closing
  • AIIR isolation
Putting automatic doors in your healthcare facility can ensure your patients are safe and secure, keep exposure to other illnesses at a minimum, and offer extra security.

Aside from making entranceways easier to access and providing security, automatic doors in healthcare facilities can also assist in keeping spaces sanitized, contamination-free, and fully visible (with glass panels) where needed.

Caring for Automatic Hospital Doors

To keep your automatic doors working properly, they must be cared for properly. While these systems are designed to be top-of-the-line in security and safety, they will only work efficiently when maintained and repaired when necessary. 

The best way to keep your automatic hospital doors in perfect working order is by hiring a company to do routine maintenance and inspections. Qualified experts know what to look for and can identify possible problem areas you may overlook, stopping bigger and more expensive issues from arising. 

What can you do to keep your automatic doors working properly?
  • Inspect the door tracks. Make sure the doors are running smoothly along each track and not catching or wiggling.
  • Check latch locks. Make sure the latch and locks line up properly; if they don't, they will need adjusting.
  • Check the threshold. There shouldn't be any space between the bottom of the door and the track. If there is, air can get in. This issue will need to be fixed by professionals.
  • Replace weather stripping. The weather stripping can start to wear out over time. This can allow drafts to flow into and out of the room. If you feel a draft, you need your weather strips replaced.
These are also great ways to winterize automatic doors, keeping them safe and secure during rough winter weather. You never want serious door malfunctions to occur when it is cold outside.


Where Do You Get Automatic Doors for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities?

Automatic doors are available all across the globe, so when deciding who you want to order your system from, you have to check for reputation, reliability, and quality materials. Just because every company offers the "same" systems doesn't mean the quality is equal.

You can order high-quality, durable, long-lasting automatic doors through various sources, including Door Services Corporation. 


Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Door Service

hospital door

Before choosing a specific commercial door company, here are a few questions you should ask ahead of time. These questions can help you narrow your list of businesses, ensuring you choose the most attentive, professional, and thorough option.
  • What is the lead time for servicing my door?
  • Which brands of hospital doors do you service?
  • Do you have certified inspectors?
  • Do you install hospital doors?
If you are considering Door Services Corporation for your installation, the answers to these questions are easy to find.
  • Emergency door service is available 24/7, and non-emergency repairs are fast and efficient.
  • Most doors and brands are serviced through Door Services Corporation with complete access to all tools and parts.
  • Door Services Corporation technicians are AAADM-certified and highly experienced.
  • Door Services Corporation installs all types of healthcare facility doors, including hospital doors.
If you are looking for enhanced security and access control through automatic doors in a hospital setting, you want an installation company you can count on.

Contact Door Services Corporation Today for a Safer Hospital Tomorrow

Door Services Corporation offers a wide variety of door brands, styles, and features to provide the most beneficial automatic door system for every situation. We have plenty of doors available that will provide a smooth functioning and efficient hospital, ensuring it operates quicker and easier than it did with traditional doors.

Aside from quick and convenient accessibility, our doors are durable, strong, and made from top-quality materials to provide top-notch protection. 

For more information, request your quote today online or call our office at 800-492-2392. Our automatic doors are exactly what you need to keep your hospital safe and under complete control 24/7.