In this high-stakes scenario, the primary ethical principle is to prioritize the patient's life while respecting security protocols and minimizing harm to all stakeholders, including the protesters, hospital staff, and the patient. Attempting to negotiate via the intercom could de-escalate the situation quickly, allowing Dr. Thorne access without bypassing protocols, thus balancing beneficence with adherence to rules and potentially avoiding legal or trust issues. While there's uncertainty about the negotiation's success in a time-sensitive emergency, it represents a reasonable first step that avoids the extremes of either letting the patient die or unilaterally overriding security, affecting the hospital's integrity and public perception.