Clark County Fire Department Manages Access to Controlled Substances
The Clark County Fire Department deployed Videx’ CyberLock key control to monitor the handling of controlled substances.
When a rescue vehicle is taken out of service, involved in an accident, or disabled in some manner, the narcotics are immediately removed from that unit’s safe. They are quickly placed in the fire station safe until the department receives a replacement rescue unit.
Systems Specialist Imad Bachir was instrumental in interfacing the CyberLock software with Clark County’s computer network. The integration of the two systems went smoothly and they work together seamlessly. The CyberLock software runs on each fire station’s office computer. “The electronic locks and keys record openings and unauthorized attempts to enter, so at any time an EMS supervisor can pull up a log of events in the software and see when a narcotic safe has been opened and by whom. The audit report the CyberLock software provides is of utmost importance to us,” states Reagor.
Each EMS supervisor is responsible for managing the CyberLock System for his/her assigned platoon. One key is issued for each rescue unit that has a paramedic onboard, and one individual is assigned responsibility for that key. The EMS supervisor can look at the audit report from the safe lock and the key to see if that responsible individual is checking drug expiration dates, taking inventory of the drugs, and insuring that the drugs have not been tampered with. This must be done during shift-changes in the morning of each day. If the EMS supervisor sees that a safe has been opened any other time of the day, it must correspond with an emergency call during that time. If there is a discrepancy, the EMS supervisor would immediately report this to the EMS Coordinator for further action.
If an electronic key is lost, the EMS supervisor can go into the system and deactivate the key so it will no longer open that particular narcotic safe. A new key can then be assigned to that rescue unit. If someone tries to open a safe that their key is not authorized to access, the safe’s lock will not open and their key will alarm. Also, there will be a record of that person’s key being denied entry to that safe. “If a safe should be opened at a time there is no emergency call, it would raise a red flag and have to be investigated. We would know who has possession of the key,” says Reagor.
The CyberLock software generates a monthly report of narcotic safe and electronic key activity from all department units. If a certain individual is not compliant, the department takes aggressive steps to make sure they do conform by checking the drugs they are responsible for. “Our QA Director and Medical Director have been extremely pleased with the CyberLock system because it has reinforced accountability and the detailed information it provides is invaluable,” Reagor comments.
“We are always looking for effective solutions that allow us to expand and improve our services to the people who live in or visit our communities. Implementing CyberLock to more efficiently manage the handling of our controlled substances has been a great decision for us. As the Las Vegas area grows and the need for services and protection increases, Clark County Fire Department is poised to meet those needs.”
Andy Hilverda is Vice President of Videx, Inc., a company that designs and manufactures CyberLock access control products that are shipped worldwide from their headquarters located in Corvallis, Ore. Hilverda can be reached at 541-758-0521, and [email protected]. For more information go to www.videx.com.
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