Security systems for medical and dental clinics
For clinic owners, practice managers and landlords of medical buildings in Alberta and BC.
Updated
The quick answer
A clinic needs to control who opens the doors that matter, such as records rooms, medication rooms and server closets, and log every entry. Add silent panic buttons at reception and in exam rooms, cameras on entrances, reception and parking (never in exam rooms), and a monitored alarm for after hours.
Where clinics need control
| Area | What we install |
|---|---|
| Front entrance and reception | Doors that unlock on your opening schedule, and a video intercom for after-hours deliveries. |
| Exam and staff areas | Access by role, so patients stay in public areas. |
| Records rooms and server closets | Access control with a log of every entry. |
| Medication and sample rooms | Restricted to the staff who need them, with every entry logged. |
| Panic buttons | Silent alerts from reception and exam rooms to our monitoring partner or a staff contact. |
| After hours | A monitored intrusion alarm, with cameras on entrances and parking. |
Problems we solve
What we hear from clinics
- Keys shared among staff and locums
- No record of who opened the medication room
- Reception staff alone at opening and closing
- After-hours break-ins for drugs or equipment
Good practice
- Cameras only in entry and public areas
- Access by role and schedule
- Cameras and door controllers on their own network
- A short, written video retention period
Health privacy
Health information has its own rules on top of general privacy law: in Alberta, the Health Information Act applies to many clinics, and private clinics in BC follow BC’s PIPA. Keep cameras out of exam rooms and away from screens and charts, limit who can view footage and door logs, and check with your privacy officer. Not legal advice.
Medical buildings with several tenants
Landlords of medical buildings can run shared entrances, parking and after-hours access on one system, while each clinic controls its own suite. Read more on our office building and small business pages.
Opening or renovating a clinic?
Bring us in before the walls close, and we’ll plan doors, panic buttons and cameras with your contractor.
Related: small business securityaccess controlintrusion alarmsoffice security
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Help: Export Avigilon video
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Clinic security questions
Can we restrict the medication room to certain staff?
Yes. Access control limits each door to the staff who need it and logs every entry, so you can see who opened it and when.
Where can cameras go in a clinic?
Entrances, reception, hallways and parking. Never in exam rooms or washrooms, and keep views away from screens and charts.
Do panic buttons call the police?
Panic buttons send a silent alert to our monitoring partner, who follows your response plan, or to a staff contact.
Can doors unlock for opening hours?
Yes. Front doors can unlock and lock on your schedule, with holiday exceptions.
Do health privacy rules apply to cameras?
Health and privacy laws in Alberta and BC can apply to clinic video and door logs. Limit what you record and who can view it, and check with your privacy officer. Not legal advice.
Can you take over our existing system?
Yes. We take over and fix systems installed by other companies, and regain admin access where you own the system.
More answers: Questions about working with HightowerGlossary: access controlIP camera
Get a clinic security quote
Tell us about the clinic: doors, rooms, staff and opening hours. We’ll follow up to book a site walk.
Call and a real person answers, 24/7 for emergencies.