Staff and Patient Safety: Enhancing Security in Healthcare Settings

Over the past few years, incidents of violence against healthcare workers has increased worldwide. Windsor Regional Hospital has worked closely with its staff leadership, bargaining agents and Occupational Health and Safety Committee on putting into place various layers of protection for its staff as well as its patients and visitors. The number and severity of these incidences of patients attending the hospital with knives and even guns were increasing. However, we knew the issue was worse because “we did not know what we did not know”.

Over the past year, Windsor Regional Hospital embarked on an ambitious journey to enhance the safety and security of our patients, staff, and visitors through the implementation of cutting-edge EVOLV™ detectors. This transformative initiative has not only elevated our security protocols but has also significantly contributed to our ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming healthcare environment.

The decision to integrate EVOLV™ detectors into our security infrastructure was driven by a proactive approach to addressing the evolving challenges of maintaining a secure healthcare facility in today’s complex world. Recognizing the critical need to efficiently screen for potential threats without compromising the patient experience or operational flow, we turned to EVOLV’s™ state-of-the-art detection technology. These advanced detectors are designed to seamlessly identify concealed weapons and other items of concern in real-time, all while allowing the natural movement of individuals through our entrances without the inconvenience of traditional security checkpoints. You do not have to empty your pockets of your cellular device, keys or remove belt/shoes. You can enter via a wheelchair without issue.

A video we produced when we introduced the EVOLV™ technology can be found on youtube, https://youtu.be/xfnOrNZWnmA?si=wSa4tfHEz7PRWkp-

From the outset, our goal was clear: to implement a solution that not only enhanced security but also aligned with our core values of compassion, respect, and excellence. The journey to achieve this was anything but straightforward. It required meticulous planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and a deep commitment to our shared vision of a safer hospital. Our teams worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth integration of the EVOLV™ detectors, addressing technical, operational, and ethical considerations with the utmost diligence.

Some of the items discovered by the technology include knuckles, knives and drug paraphernalia.

The results have been nothing short of remarkable. Since the installation of the EVOLV™ detectors, we have witnessed a significant improvement in our ability to preemptively identify and mitigate potential security risks. The technology has proven to be incredibly effective, with an impressive accuracy rate that has bolstered our confidence in the system. In just over 5 months we have been able to detect over 2000 “threats” with over 1000 of them being knives. Nothing is 100% full proof but again this is another layer of security for our staff, patients and
visitors.

More importantly, the feedback from our community has been overwhelmingly positive. Patients, visitors, and staff have expressed their appreciation for the enhanced sense of security, noting how the discreet and non-intrusive nature of the detectors has minimally impacted their hospital experience. The fact everyone attending the emergency department through the main entrances has to walk through these EVOLV™ detectors is comforting to many.

One of the most notable outcomes of this initiative has been the way it has continue to foster a culture of safety and vigilance across the hospital. The presence of the EVOLV™ detectors serves as a constant reminder of our unwavering commitment to the well-being of everyone who steps foot in our facility. It has encouraged open dialogues about security, safety, and the collective responsibility we all share in creating a secure environment.

WRH will continue to work with its staff and examine other ways it can enhance security for its staff, patients and visitors.