GREENSBORO, N.C. — Cone Health is bolstering security inside of emergency departments. The hospital's new weapon detection system began operating at Moses Cone on Sept. 27.
Cone Health joins other major hospitals in the state by installing body scanners at the entrance to the Moses Cone emergency department.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Forsyth Medical Center, and Duke Hospital in Durham have already started using similar systems.
The hospital said it wants to create a safer environment for visitors and workers who are usually under a lot of stress.
Everyone who enters the emergency department at Moses Cone will have to pass through the scanners.
The scanners are nearly identical to the touchless scanners used by Guilford County Schools.
According to the head of security at Cone Health, Chris Cromer, "We have not seen a rise in violence or guns being brought into the hospital, locally. Still, the new body scanners will act as an added layer of security for patients and employees."
Trish Richardson is the President of the North Carolina Nurses Association.
The group recently put out a survey that found 49% of nurses said they have personally witnessed workplace violence over the last 2 years –27% were a victim.
Richardson says those numbers are not shocking, based on her experience, but is glad to see hospitals state-wide taking a proactive approach.
"Working in concert with law enforcement in hospitals, and seeing these first steps with the scanners will go a long way in my opinion. My hope and prayer is to bring those numbers down," said Richardson.
Currently, these body scanners are only being used at the Emergency Department Entrance at Moses Cone Hospital.
Cone Health Plans to add more scanners to their hospitals over the next few months.
"We have a plan to install these at every hospital ED between now and February 2024. That’s our plan for now and we will see where it takes us from there," said Cromer.
In addition to the scanners, Cone Health is also constantly reviewing new ways to enhance safety for patients and employees at all of their Triad hospitals.