This article was previously published July 11, 2019 and updated for comprehensiveness and accuracy.

Key Points:

• Theft of medical equipment and medications are rising, costing hospitals millions annually.
• Internal drug diversion and OTC medication theft pose major security and liability risks.
• Workplace violence increases the risk of equipment damage and operational disruption.
• Strong security measures, like access control, video surveillance, and environmental sensors, help deter theft and protect assets.
• Combining real-time monitoring with inventory management enhances both safety and compliance.

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Medical facilities carry a heavy responsibility when it comes to securing prescription medications and specialized medical equipment. These items aren’t just expensive and vital to clinical operations; they can be dangerous, even deadly, when mishandled or stolen.

For example, three individuals in Pennsylvania broke into a hospital and made off with $450,000 worth of medical equipment in 2019 — a sobering reminder of just how lucrative and vulnerable healthcare targets can be. But the risk doesn’t stop at break-ins. Everyday operations are also susceptible to theft, environmental damage, and internal misuse.

Medication and Equipment Theft Is on the Rise

Theft of medical equipment and medications is a nationwide concern. Whether stolen, misplaced, or simply lost, missing medical equipment costs American hospitals millions of dollars every year. In fact, research shows that between 10% to 20% of a hospital’s mobile assets are lost or stolen during their useful life, with an average replacement cost of $3,000 per item.

Additionally, according to HealthcareDiversion.org, approximately 10% of all hospital employees are estimated to divert controlled substances at some point, highlighting just how common internal drug theft can be in healthcare environments.

But it's not just prescription drugs at risk. Over the counter (OTC) medications rank among the most frequently stolen items in retail crime. Common targets include:

• Allergy medicine
• Pain relievers
• Sudafed
• Nicorette
• Baby formula
• Diabetic testing strips
• Weight-loss pills and pregnancy tests

While often assumed to be low-risk due to accessibility, OTC medications are regularly misused or sold on secondary markets, sometimes to be combined with other substances in the creation of dangerous street drugs. Left unchecked, medication theft can incite violent break-ins or internal theft and damage your facility’s reputation and liability standing.

Rising Violence Also Puts People and Assets at Greater Risk

Theft and medication misuse are only part of the growing concern. Many healthcare facilities, especially emergency departments and acute care units, are also facing an alarming rise in workplace violence. These areas often deal with volatile situations involving individuals in distress or crisis. As tensions escalate, so does the likelihood of physical altercations, verbal threats, and even targeted attacks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry experienced an annualized incidence rate of 14.2 nonfatal workplace violence cases per 10,000 full-time workers during 2021–2022—the highest of any private industry sector. This is more than triple the rate for all private industries combined.

Unfortunately, these incidents don’t just endanger staff and patients. They also increase the risk of equipment being damaged or destroyed during confrontations. Mobile medical devices, diagnostic tools, and supply carts are particularly vulnerable in chaotic or aggressive encounters. In some cases, valuable assets are stolen in the aftermath of violent disruptions, making the situation even more costly for healthcare providers.

This convergence of theft and violence underscores the urgent need for vigilance in healthcare environments. Without strong security measures, facilities remain exposed to both immediate danger and long-term operational setbacks.

Start with the Basics: Deter Theft and Environmental Hazards

Valuable equipment like monitors, lab devices, and diagnostic tools are high-interest items for criminals. Protecting them starts with building strong environmental defenses.

Monitored alarms with video verification are your first line of defense. Here are a few systems you should consider:

• Intrusion alarms to detect unauthorized entry.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to prevent fire- and environmental-related losses.
• Water sensors to mitigate flood or pipe-burst damage in storage rooms.

When properly installed and monitored, these systems ensure you receive real-time alerts and allow emergency response teams to act quickly. Work closely with your security vendor to verify communication with your monitoring center is seamless.

Limit Access and Track It

Whether it’s a high-cost ultrasound machine or a locked cabinet of prescription drugs, not everyone needs access to critical medical assets. One of the most effective ways to prevent misuse is by limiting and tracking access to authorized personnel only.

Here’s how to reinforce your assets:

• Access control systems (e.g., keycards, biometric scanners) assign individual credentials to staff, letting you trace who entered a storage room and when.
• Image sensors notify you when a storage area is accessed, even when you're offsite.
• Video surveillance helps deter misconduct and provides crucial footage in the event of theft or suspicious activity.

Internal theft, especially of prescription drugs, is a growing concern. That’s why it’s critical to regularly update access credentials, conduct background checks, and monitor surveillance footage, particularly in high-risk departments like pharmaceutical areas and medication storage rooms.

Keep Medications and Supplies at Safe, Consistent Temperatures

Security isn’t just about preventing theft. It’s also about preserving integrity. Some medications and vaccines require strict temperature control. Improper storage can lead to spoilage, decreased efficacy, or even harmful chemical changes. This could impact patient outcomes or lead to liability issues.

Install smart thermostats and environmental monitoring sensors to track and regulate the conditions in medical storage rooms, refrigerators, or transport vehicles. These systems allow:

• Remote control of temperature and humidity.
• Immediate alerts if temperature deviates from safe ranges.
• Better compliance with industry storage guidelines.

This is especially important for healthcare providers that store medications in bulk or across multiple locations, such as pharmacies or distribution centers.

Combine Monitoring with Inventory Management

Without accurate records, it’s nearly impossible to know when, or how, something went missing. Strong inventory systems go hand in hand with strong physical security.

Best practices include:

• Keeping digital logs of every medication or piece of equipment entering or leaving a secured area.
• Performing regular audits to spot discrepancies quickly.
• Organizing inventory in a way that makes theft noticeable, as clutter breeds opportunity for theft.

As highlighted in our Prescription Medication Security article, many thefts occur in transit. Whether it’s a delivery truck en route to a pharmacy or a restock for a hospital wing, consider using GPS tracking and locked storage containers during transportation.

Protect What Matters Most

Whether you’re safeguarding essential pharmaceuticals, oxygen tanks, or MRI equipment, medical assets require more than just locked doors. They require a cohesive strategy with vigilance and the right tools in place.

By combining controlled access, environmental monitoring, and real-time monitoring and alerts, you can reduce risk of theft medical equipment theft and provide a safer environment for patients, employees, and the broader community.

If your healthcare facility needs help enhancing its physical security measures, reach out to a trusted provider like Vector Security. We have the healthcare security experience and expertise to help keep your medical assets protected. Contact Vector Security today for a free assessment and customized protection plan.