Weapon detection systems being installed at Windsor hospital ERs

Windsor Regional Hospital will be installing "state-of-the-art" weapon detection systems atemergency department entrances on both their campuses.

"Hospitals are places of healing, and the security and well-being of every individual be it a patient, visitor, or staff member are paramount," a news release sent out on Wednesday afternoon stated.

The systems will be installed Thursday morning.

The decision was made after discussions with the hospital's Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee where incidences of weapons brought into the emergency department were brought up. Those included "four separate instancesin the past year involving guns and knives."

"These are incidents WRH was made aware of because the weapon was either discovered following the patient's entry and does not include any concealed weapons WRH was not aware of over the same period," the press release stated.

The system is designed by a company called Evolv Technology, which deals in AI-based weapons detection security screening. It would allow staff, patients and visitors come into the emergency department without always having to empty their bags or pockets.

"The AI technology distinguishes between items that might be a threat, such as a gun or knife, and most every day items individuals might be carrying," the hospital stated.

"The technology also ensures individual privacy, operating without the storage or misuse of personal data."

The hospital said it will also consider using it at other high-traffic areas of their hospital campuses.