Monster Arts Inc (APPZ)

[Raggedy Man]

Not for kids IN THE HOSPITAL. Outside maybe.

http://www.thesecurehospital.com/are-drones-a-threat-to-your-hospital/

The recent incident at the U.S. Open highlighted the ongoing and evolving threat posed by drones. In this case, a relatively high-security, high-profile event was infiltrated by a teacher who allegedly lost control of his drone. While the drone crashed harmlessly in an empty area of the stands, it still caused panic among spectators and players and disrupted the event.

So, if someone can fly a drone into the U.S. Open, why can’t they fly a drone onto your hospital campus? The unsettling answer is that there is nothing currently in place to stop drones from flying onto your property and potentially disrupting your operations. While Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines currently advise against the use of hobby aircraft within 400 feet of a hospital or populated area, many drone operators are unfamiliar with this guidance. Beyond these guidelines, there is nothing in place to truly protect your hospital campus outside of simple vigilance on behalf of your security staff.

There are two primary concerns raised by drone operation near your hospital: interference with medical helicopters and invasion of privacy. Let’s take a closer look at these two issues:
Drone Interference with Medical Helicopters

There have already been several instances of drones disrupting medical helicopter flights, including one last year in Dayton, OH, in which a drone significantly delayed the landing of a helicopter. Luckily, there haven’t been any collisions with medical helicopters to date, but the delay caused by a drone within the flight path could mean the difference between life and death for the patient aboard the chopper.
Invasion of Privacy by Drone

Drones can also be used to peer into the windows of your hospital, violating the privacy of patients inside exam rooms and elsewhere. This is of particular concern for VIPs and dignitaries who may be the subject of media attention. While this type of threat is unlikely, it’s not outside the realm of possibilities as illustrated by an incident in New York last summer. The man, whose drone was observed by patients and staff inside the hospital, was arrested but later acquitted on charges of unlawful surveillance- potentially setting a precedent for similar incidents in the future.
Protecting Your Hospital From Drones

While there’s not much you can do to physically protect your hospital from a drone, simple vigilance and awareness on behalf of your hospital security staff can help spot trouble and take action to prevent things from escalating. For example, security staff can notify incoming medical helicopters of the danger or take action to prevent viewing of patient rooms. There’s also technology out there, like this radar/surveillance system by SpotterRF, but it’s unlikely to be deployed at hospitals for such a rare threat.
Summary

Drones are a rare threat to hospitals, but the popularity of these flying, video-equipped machines is gaining popularity. It’s important that hospital security departments remain aware of the potential threat posed by drones and to take appropriate action when they are spotted on or near the hospital campus.