University hospital enhances security with integrated comms

Inrico, a global provider of push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) and converged communication technologies, has successfully deployed an advanced integrated communication solution at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH) in Saudi Arabia, significantly enhancing security coverage, emergency response and operational efficiency.

KAAUH, a 406-bed teaching hospital accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), is known for its complex medical infrastructure. With eight interconnected buildings, underground laboratories and a rooftop helipad, the hospital’s security demands are exceptionally high. However, its legacy communication system faced critical limitations — delayed emergency alerts, communication blind spots, lack of video capability and restrictions caused by spectrum licensing.

To address these challenges, Inrico deployed a fully integrated solution featuring the TM-9 mobile radio, T522A and T320 PoC terminals, along with a converged communication platform. The solution provides seamless coverage, real-time video communication and efficient patrol management across the entire hospital campus.

Seamless coverage with simplified deployment

Unlike traditional narrowband systems that require significant investment in repeaters, Inrico’s PoC radios utilise public cellular networks and the hospital’s existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. This plug-and-play architecture minimises deployment time and cost while achieving hospital-wide, blind-spot-free coverage.

The converged communication platform seamlessly integrates PoC radios with KAAUH’s legacy narrowband system, ensuring compatibility and extending the life of existing assets. The solution also relieves pressure on spectrum licensing, enabling flexible and scalable system expansion.

At the core of the solution is the TM-9 mobile radio, installed in the hospital’s security command centre and integrated with the existing video monitoring system. This central command hub enables real-time dispatch, resource coordination, and instant communication between units inside and outside the hospital.

With GPS-enabled T522A and T320 terminals, security personnel can be located and tracked in real time, allowing the nearest team to respond to incidents without delay. Historical route tracking also enables better scheduling and accountability.

Inrico’s solution introduces real-time video calling capabilities, significantly improving situational awareness during emergencies. Security personnel can transmit live video, images and voice recordings directly from their terminals, equipping command staff with immediate visual context for critical decisions. This capability also supports post-event reviews, medical dispute resolution and criminal investigations, protecting the interests of hospital staff and patients alike.

To support routine security operations, the T522A and T320 radios are equipped with NFC technology for digital patrol check-ins. Patrol data is automatically uploaded to the back-end system, enabling traceability and operational transparency.

The platform also streamlines work order management, enabling rapid assignment, progress tracking, and closed-loop handling of tasks such as equipment inspections, order maintenance and emergency interventions.

“Inrico’s communication solution not only enabled us to achieve full coverage across the complex hospital but also elevated our emergency response speed to a whole new level,” said a spokesperson from KAAUH’s security team. “Whether during routine patrols or major incidents, the devices have consistently demonstrated stable and reliable performance — providing a solid guarantee for the hospital’s safe operation.”

Building on this successful deployment at KAAUH, Inrico continues to drive innovation across its product portfolio to support digital transformation in hospitals and other high-stakes environments around the world.