Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Advanced Officer Certification Practice Exam

In terms of hospital safety, what does CPTED stand for?

1. Community Planning Through Environmental Design

2. Comprehensive Prevention Through Environmental Design

3. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

4. Critical Protection Through Emergency Design

The correct answer is: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. This strategy focuses on the design and use of the built environment to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life in an area. By applying principles of natural surveillance, natural access control, and territorial reinforcement, CPTED aims to create spaces that discourage criminal activity by increasing visibility, promoting community ownership, and controlling access to certain areas. This approach is particularly relevant in healthcare settings, where the safety of patients, staff, and visitors is paramount. Implementing CPTED concepts can lead to improvements in hospital safety by designing environments that deter crime through their layout and features. For instance, well-lit pathways and open areas facilitate natural surveillance, making it harder for potential offenders to act unnoticed. The other options presented do not reflect the established terminology or concepts associated with CPTED. They either misrepresent the focus of the framework or introduce terms that are not standard in the field of environmental design related to crime prevention. Understanding CPTED is essential for healthcare security professionals seeking to enhance safety measures effectively.