Where the clinical needs of the patients require specialized security measures or where patients pose a security risk, door-locking arrangements without delayed egress is permitted, provided that staff can readily unlock such doors at all times. Occupant movement cannot be restricted during an emergency; however, locking certain doors may be necessary for the safety of the patient in certain situations. Each of these allowable. . Many hospitals offer patients a lockable bedside cabinet while they are staying overnight and lockers for staff to use while they are working. If the hospital is a large one, imagine how many keys the facilities and estate department has to manage? The problem of replacing lost or broken keys can. . This code has long emphasized one critical principle: people must be able to exit during an emergency. At first glance, these two priorities - security and life safety - are obviously in tension and may seem incompatible.
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