The University of Alberta Hospital’s emergency department now has a new weapons detection system at its entrance. All patients and visitors to the ER will have to go through the system, which is similar to ones seen at Rogers Place or other sports or concert venues, before going in. The new system makes the U of A hospital the second to implement screening technology. The Royal Alexandra Hospital built a walk-through screening system after an April stabbing at the downtown ER department. “We have a really positive proof of concept based on the positive results we’ve seen of the install at the Royal Alex, and we’re excited to bring those results here,” U of A hospital protective services director Ryan Cammidge told CTV News Edmonton. “Emergency departments need to be a safe environment for patients, visitors and health-care workers … We know that weapons and prohibited items do make their way into the care space, and we’re now taking reasonable and meaningful steps to mitigate those risks.” If the system detects an “item of concern” on a person’s body or belongings, the hospital’s protective services will ask to perform a second screening. Those asked can voluntarily secure any prohibited items in a locker until they leave. Those items can also be kept in the car or with a family or friend outside the ER. “You just walk through at a normal pace, you don’t have to divest anything from your person. The system uses safe, non-ionized radiation and (artificial intelligence) technology to determine if there’s an item on your person that is either a shape, size or density that matches something in their database for weapons,” Cammidge explained. Potential patients who refuse screening or who don’t comply will be connected to Health Link to speak with a nurse virtually about the urgency of their care needs. They’ll be consulted under the eye of U of A protective services. Patients who need in-person care but refuse to be screened will have a protective services detail to oversee them during their stay. Visitors or support people who refuse screening will not be allowed into the ER unless they’re accompanying a minor. It also comes after previously imposed one-bag, one-visitor initiatives first introduced in May, also following in the Royal Alexandra’s lead. “The anecdotal feedback we’ve received from staff members (at the Royal Alex), particularly in the emergency departments, have been extremely positive. They feel safer at work. Their psychological safety at work is improving, and they’re seeing less instances of workplace violence.” The new system’s implementation comes after a number of reviews, vendor meetings and a proposals process. Cammidge says the two hospitals’ move to implement more safety standards was an “unfortunate” reality of working in health care. Alberta Medical Association President Brian Wirzba says he’s seeing increased calls for safety measures across the province, but specific need depends on the area a hospital operates in. “We know that particularly the area around the Royal Alexandra Hospital, there are more unhoused patients who take care of their security when they’re on the streets in different ways, so I’m not surprised,” he said on Wednesday. “We want to make sure that they receive health care in an appropriate mamnner, and that other patients in that emergency department and frontline workers are kept safe.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa
