MONROE - Monroe Clinic will increase security to its maternity unit this week by requiring authorization for visitors to enter the unit.
Beginning today, the Family Birth and Women's Center in Monroe Clinic Hospital will become a locked unit, said Patricia Lawson, director of marketing and business development at Monroe Clinic.
The center will now require visitors to contact staff via intercom before entering the unit, with staff monitoring visitors with video surveillance.
The changes supplement the center's existing security, where, thanks to alert bracelets given to mothers and babies, staff are alerted if anyone attempts to leave with a baby.
Lawson said the change was not precipitated by any security threat or incident but is simply a prudent modernization of the clinic's maternity unit.
"It's just a best practice," Lawson said. "It's something we're able to do now, so we want to keep everyone safe."
The Family Birth and Women's Center provides labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care for an average of 500 births that take place at Monroe Clinic every year.
Beginning today, the Family Birth and Women's Center in Monroe Clinic Hospital will become a locked unit, said Patricia Lawson, director of marketing and business development at Monroe Clinic.
The center will now require visitors to contact staff via intercom before entering the unit, with staff monitoring visitors with video surveillance.
The changes supplement the center's existing security, where, thanks to alert bracelets given to mothers and babies, staff are alerted if anyone attempts to leave with a baby.
Lawson said the change was not precipitated by any security threat or incident but is simply a prudent modernization of the clinic's maternity unit.
"It's just a best practice," Lawson said. "It's something we're able to do now, so we want to keep everyone safe."
The Family Birth and Women's Center provides labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care for an average of 500 births that take place at Monroe Clinic every year.