Hospitals across the nation continue to grapple with high rates of workplace violence, with some implementing weapons detection technology to protect employees, patients, and visitors.
In Berlin, Vt., Central Vermont Medical Center will be adding metal detectors to its emergency department entrance, reports MyNBC5. The move is in response to security officers at the facility confiscating knives, guns, pepper spray, and other items over the past several years.
Once the weapons detectors are installed, everyone will be required to pass through the screening equipment. Patients experiencing a medical emergency, however, will be prioritized to go before others so as not to delay their treatment.
Additionally, purses, backpacks and other personal bags won’t be allowed in the emergency department. Anyone who enters will need to leave these items in their vehicles or with another person who isn’t onsite. Plastic bags will be made available at the entrance to patients or visitors who want to keep their personal items with them. A similar clear-bag policy was implemented at the University of Vermont Medical Center last summer.
The changes are intended to not only bolster security, but also decrease wait times because clear bags can be more easily searched.
Related Article: University of Vermont Medical Center ED Now Requires Clear Bags
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Installed Weapons Detection in April
In April, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., announced it installed weapons detection screening devices from CEIA and Evolv at key hospital entrances, including the entrance to the emergency department, which already had a metal detector. All patients, families, learners, and visitors are now required to pass through screening systems at all three hospital entrances. The new systems were piloted at several sites last year.
Only patients needing to receive emergency department medical care, their families, and employees are allowed to use the emergency department entrance. Everyone entering must remove all metal objects from their pockets and bags.
CEIA’s OpenGate is deployed at the first-floor entrance, and Evolv’s screening solution is deployed at the second-floor entrance.
The installation of the weapons detection technology was part of a phased plan to bolster security on the hospital campus. Monroe Carell will also be adding a visitor management system to manage guests.
