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New Weapons Detection System to Enhance Safety at London Health Sciences Centre

In response to rising concerns about the safety of patients and staff, the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is set to implement a new weapons detection system across all its emergency departments. This move comes amid increasing reports of assaults and violent incidents in hospitals throughout Canada.

According to David Musyj, a supervisor at LHSC, there has been an escalating sense of unease regarding safety in medical facilities. “Individuals arriving at the emergency department are already facing stressful circumstances. The last thing we want is for them to worry about their safety,” he emphasized.

This initiative gained urgency following a December incident where shots were fired outside the emergency room entrance at Victoria Hospital. While discussions about the weapons detection system were already underway, this event accelerated the decision to implement it without delay.

Canada has witnessed a series of violent attacks in healthcare settings recently, prompting a critical reassessment of security measures in hospitals. The new weapons detection system will be operational at the emergency department entrances of Victoria Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and University Hospital, with the system going live at University Hospital on April 15 and at Victoria Hospital on May 6.

The system, procured through Convergint Canada in January, aims to improve security while ensuring efficient access for patients, visitors, and hospital personnel. Musyj noted, “Our Emergency Departments are crucial points of entry for those seeking medical assistance, and creating a safer environment benefits everyone, including our team members.” He also pointed out the positive outcomes observed at Windsor Regional Hospital, where a similar system has enhanced safety and improved staff comfort.

LHSC is committed to ensuring a seamless transition during the implementation of this technology, aiming to minimize disruptions in hospital operations. To assist patients and visitors in navigating the new system, the security team will be available to address any questions or concerns. For those who may require alternative screening methods—such as individuals with medical implants like pacemakers—handheld or private screening options will be offered.

Mysyj clarified that the detection system is not a conventional metal detector. “It doesn’t require individuals to empty their pockets of personal items like cellphones or keys, as it does not detect those objects,” he explained. Instead, the system employs artificial intelligence to identify potentially hazardous items. When a potential threat is detected, a security official will discreetly ask the individual to step aside for further investigation. While the system can flag legal items such as pocket knives, Musyj asserts that these should not be brought into an emergency department.

Addressing potential concerns about false positives, Musyj confirmed that adjustments can be made to the machine’s sensitivity if it results in excessive alerts. “It’s preferable to have some false positives than to risk allowing dangerous items into the emergency department,” he remarked.

Currently, LHSC is unaware of other hospitals in Ontario utilizing such advanced detection systems, although various hospitals have implemented different security measures. “Safety remains a paramount concern for hospitals in Ontario, and every effort is made to ensure a safe environment for all individuals within,” Musyj noted.

According to Kirk LeMessurier, Chief of Communications at the Ontario Hospital Association, while the organization does not track specific security measures, hospitals continually modify their strategies based on assessed risks. The weapons detection system at Windsor Regional Hospital has proven effective, having detected over 4,700 items—including knives—since its introduction in November 2023, among more than 610,000 individuals screened. Initially flagging an average of 17 items per day, including nine knives, that number has decreased to an average of six flagged items daily, with four being knives, as public awareness of the system has increased.

Musyj concluded by asserting, “While nothing can provide complete security, we aim to incorporate various safety measures to reduce the risk of incidents, particularly in sensitive environments like hospitals and emergency departments.”

Source
globalnews.ca