How El Centro Regional Medical Center transformed hospital security with Verkada

El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) serves a medically underserved population across more than 5,000 square miles near the U.S.–Mexico border. With expanded facilities, a diverse patient base, and growing operational demands, ECRMC faced mounting pressure to protect staff and patients while meeting critical healthcare regulations like EMTALA and HIPAA.

But achieving this required more than traditional surveillance—it called for a modern, integrated security solution capable of preventing workplace violence, enabling real-time response, and supporting seamless compliance documentation.

ECRMC needed to address several converging security and operational challenges:

• Reduce rising workplace violence incidents across high-risk areas
• Meet strict documentation requirements for regulatory audits and EMTALA standards
• Improve visibility and situational awareness across a growing medical campus
• Enable faster response to emergencies and reduce incident investigation times
• Maintain a safe, compliant environment in critical care and lab settings

ECRMC partnered with Verkada streamlining operations while boosting safety and audit readiness. Their tailored solution includes:

• Video Security: Nearly 200 hybrid cloud cameras deployed across entrances, emergency departments, and high-risk areas with 365-day onboard storage and unlimited cloud archiving
• Emergency Response & Workplace Safety: Mobile VX52 Viewing Stations and Command app access for real-time monitoring, response coordination, and faster incident resolution
• Alarms & Intrusion Detection: Discreet panic buttons for isolated staff to summon help immediately
• Environmental Sensors: Automated monitoring of air quality in sterile environments like labs and processing rooms—eliminating 5+ daily manual checks
• Privacy & Compliance Controls: Built-in features like Live Face Blur and audit logs to help support HIPAA-aligned data practices

With Verkada, ECRMC transformed security from a reactive task into a proactive, real-time safety and compliance strategy.

Since deploying Verkada, ECRMC has achieved measurable improvements across safety, efficiency, and compliance:

• 83% reduction in workplace violence incidents—from over 12 per month to just 1–2
• Investigation times reduced from hours to just 15 minutes, speeding up resolution and response
• Improved clinical safety and compliance through automated air quality monitoring in critical environments