March 9, 2026 — Many of the regulations governing safety and security in healthcare settings are developed in response to specific events. Yet too often these policies remain localized until tragedy strikes again. Healthcare designers and facilities professionals have an opportunity to take a more proactive approach by exploring practices proven in different parts of the world to reduce shared security risks. This is the goal of an international panel discussion on healthcare security design and global standards scheduled for the 2026 International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) World Congress.
From October 17-20, 2026, the IFHE World Congress in New Orleans brings together global leaders in healthcare facility design, construction, engineering, operations, and real estate management. In partnership with EmeraldX, the Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP) — the U.S. representative to IFHE — is co-locating the event alongside the Healthcare Design (HCD) Conference + Expo. Among the event’s scheduled sessions is a presentation by global leaders of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS).
Anthony Pope, current IAHSS president and System Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management for Columbus Regional Health in Columbus, IN, has seen firsthand the value of exploring other countries’ security practices.
“While we’re dealing with many of the same industry challenges around the world, the rulebook is a little different in each country,” Pope says. For example, a recent trip to the UK taught Pope how his peers in England are navigating compliance with new requirements set by Martyn’s Law. The law honors Martyn Hett, who was killed in a terrorist attack in 2017. It requires operators of public facilities, including hospitals, implement policies to respond and reduce risk in the event of a terrorist attack.
Bill Navejar, president of the IAHSS Foundation, adds that a visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, offered a practical look at how other countries approach security. “They have three buildings with more than 1,000 beds being secured by a fresh 12-person team every 12 hours, with an advanced technology center and command center,” Navejar shares.
Given that violence against healthcare workers is a global challenge, any practice that applies a fresh lens to this challenge offers promise. The World Health Organization has estimated that up to 38% of all healthcare workers experience physical violence at some point in their career. Events like the IFHE World Congress provide a critical opportunity for exploring new approaches to this shared risk.
Pope adds that the biggest value of international networking opportunity has been “the assurance that I’m not in it alone.” As he explains, “Traveling abroad, I’ve realized that these practitioners are dealing with similar issues. Now I have a whole new network of people I can reach out to and say, ‘Tell me more about how you’re doing that.’”
Pope and Navejar are confirmed presenters at the 2026 IFHE World Congress. To learn more about the event and its scheduled sessions, visit AMFP or IFHE.
