Loihde provides the Kanta-Häme wellbeing area with a comprehensive range of security technology services. For example, personal safety and nurse call systems are available throughout the wellbeing area. In the new Ahvenisto Hospital, known as Assi Hospital, Loihde also acts as the main supplier of security solutions, taking care of locking systems, access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection systems, and fire safety.
Construction of Assi hospital began in 2021 and will be completed in 2025. The new-generation hospital and service centre, located in Hämeenlinna, is planned to be taken into use during 2026.
According to Loihde’s project manager Sami Nuorala, this is an interesting and rewarding project that has been carried out thoroughly and with care.
“We at Loihde are able to offer our customers a truly unique full range of security services. In Finland, there are hardly any other operators who can provide such a broad scope of security solutions—from locking systems and video surveillance to intrusion detection and fire safety—and even that is not all.”
When the range of security solutions is broad, the overall system can be built with different technologies in mind, ensuring seamless integrations between systems. For example, access control and nurse call systems work together to enable smooth movement.
“Seamless integrations between security technologies are a crucial part of smooth, continuous, and safe daily operations. The importance of functional interfaces becomes evident in planning and commissioning, and later in maintenance, such as during updates. Centralisation often brings customers maintenance cost savings, and of course convenience—there’s no need to wonder which service provider to contact if something needs attention.”
For instance, fire safety integrations ensure that fire alarms reach the end user—such as a nurse—immediately through a mobile application.
“The information is delivered straight to the mobile phone and corridor displays. The possibilities of integration are many. Fire safety can also be connected to video surveillance and access control, enabling these systems to support safe movement and evacuation,” Nuorala explains.
Once completed, the new central hospital will serve the healthcare needs of the entire Kanta-Häme region. The goal is to build the world’s most humane hospital, designed in close cooperation with healthcare staff, patients, and other users.
Safety is one of the key building blocks of comfort and functionality. 9Solutions’ real-time locating personal safety and nurse call systems are used throughout the wellbeing area and will be part of the new Assi hospital as well. Loihde is responsible for delivering and maintaining the system. The solution supports the safety of both patients and staff.
“A high-quality multipurpose call system is a user-friendly safety solution that also clarifies communication. It enables the creation of a single, extensive security solution across hospitals, health centres, and assisted living facilities within the wellbeing area,” Nuorala describes.
Loihde also delivers, as a service, exit monitoring as well as door phone, access control, and video surveillance platforms for the entire Kanta-Häme wellbeing area. The GPS-based lone worker safety system is also available across the region.
“There are many advantages to a shared system. For mobile employees, it’s flexible and eliminates the need to learn multiple systems when moving between locations. Reporting becomes easier, and there are more opportunities for data-driven management.”
From a maintenance perspective, many updates can be done remotely, and system expertise within the organization grows when a uniform system is used centrally.
“All this also increases operational reliability and supports proactive maintenance. Modern systems also include self-diagnostics, meaning that if a fault occurs, the system identifies it and alerts accordingly. Loihde also has a local unit in Kanta-Häme, so technical support is nearby. Local presence is a significant advantage.”
At the time of interview in autumn 2024, the project was already in its final stages—even though the hospital will be commissioned in about two years, security solutions must be ready and operational much earlier.
“During 2025, the main focus will be on final installations, followed by testing and finalizing the solutions delivered by Loihde,” Nuorala estimates.
Nuorala has been involved in the project at Loihde from the very beginning and says that the project has progressed according to plan. He leads the large-scale project at Loihde, and for each technology area, dedicated project managers specialize in their respective systems. Nuorala praises the skilled and professional cooperation with experts from the wellbeing area as well as other stakeholders in the project.
“Our collaboration has been excellent, and we have had the privilege to work with top professionals throughout. I have great respect for the expertise within the wellbeing area. When challenges arise, we overcome them. I believe that when things are done with both skill and heart, the outcome is inevitably successful,” says Nuorala, who has worked more than 20 years with security solutions in the social and healthcare sector.