Weapons detection system installed at University of Alberta Hospital Emergency Department to enhance safety

EDMONTON – The University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) emergency department (ED) has implemented a weapons detection system to enhance safety for hospital workers, patients and families.

All patients and visitors will be asked to go through the weapons detection system prior to entering the emergency department. The technology is similar to walk-through screening systems at concert or sports venues.

“Everyone who comes to a hospital should feel safe whether they are here to receive care, support a loved one or provide care to others,” said Ryan Cammidge, Director, Protective Services, Edmonton Corridor. “Weapons detection technology can be an effective additional layer of protection, helping prevent weapons and items that could be used as weapons from entering our sites.

“This is about creating a safer environment for patients, families and our staff, while maintaining a welcoming and respectful experience for everyone.”

If the system detects an item of concern on a person’s body or their belongings, UAH Protective Services will ask to perform a secondary screening. Patients and visitors will be able to voluntarily secure prohibited items in a locker until they leave or are discharged. Alternatively, individuals can secure these items in their car or with a family member or friend not entering the UAH ED. Patients seeking care who refuse weapons screening or compliance can be connected to Health Link by UAH Protective Services to speak with a nurse regarding the acuity and urgency of their care needs. Health Link nurses can refer patients to a virtual physician, or an on-site healthcare professional should care needs warrant. This consultation will occur while the person remains at the hospital within sight of UAH Protective Services.

Patients who refuse to participate in screening who still require access to emergency care will be assigned UAH Protective Services oversight while in the department.

Visitors or designated family/support persons will also be required to go through the weapons detection system. Visitors who refuse screening will not be permitted access to the ED unless the patient requiring emergency care is a minor, the patient requires communication support from the designated family/support person, or the care team determines the designated family/support person needs to be present.

This technology does not use harmful radiation. It is designed to enhance safety while enabling people to move through screening quickly and respectfully.

This new measure follows the one-bag and one-visitor safety initiatives introduced at the UAH ED in May. Since then, more than 300 bags from patients and visitors entering the UAH ED entrance have been stored to secure prohibited items after a verbal screening process. This initiative has helped reduce the number of weapons and prohibited items entering the hospital.

UAH is the second Alberta Health Services hospital to introduce these enhanced security measures, following their successful implementation at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in May. Since then, the number of prohibited items identified and secured has increased significantly, from an average of 120 to 140 items per month to 359 per month. At the same time, the number of visitors entering the hospital at night has decreased from approximately 80 to 100 people to an average of 30 to 50 per night. Together, these results demonstrate how enhanced screening and access measures can help create a safer environment for patients, families and healthcare workers.

Since implementing a weapons detection system at the RAH ED in May, patients and visitors to the emergency department have completed more than 56,000 scans. Approximately 12 individuals have declined screening and were provided access to a phone to call 811 to speak with a registered nurse for an assessment.

Following each call with 811, only one of these individuals required access to emergent care. This individual received access to the ED with a Protective Services overwatch for less than one hour before the individual decided to complete the weapons detection screening so they could sit unattended in the ED.

Patients or caregivers who have questions can reach out to Patient Relations online or at 1-855-550-2555. Other care options are also available, including Health Link, urgent care centres and family physicians.

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres and health centres across the province. Our mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.