A new security system that uses artificial intelligence to help detect weapons will go live Thursday at Windsor Regional Hospital.
The Evolv Weapons Detection System uses powerful sensor technology with artificial intelligence to detect weapons or other potential items of concern while also allowing staff, patients and visitors to pass through the check point without always having to open their bags or empty their pockets.
Windsor Regional Hospital is the first healthcare centre in Canada to use the advanced system which is installed at the hospital's emergency departments at the Met and Ouellette campuses.
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 like a cellphone.
Dave Healey, Solutions Engineer with Evolv Technology, says the key to the system is the free flow of people and the ability to scan multiple people at multiple times.
"Just walk right though without any additional screening, they go on about their business, they go and get their care. If they do {set off an alarm}, that person will be segregated off to the side and people can still come right though the system on their own," he says.
If the system detects an item of concern, a red light would be activated, a video would highlight where the perceived threat may be on the person in question and a security guard would then perform a secondary inspection.
The decision to implement the technology follows discussions with the WRH Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, where officials have discussed incidences of weapons brought into the Emergency Department.
David Musyj, President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, says there were four separate incidents in the past year involving guns and knives being brought into the emergency department.
"There definitely was arrests, police were involved," he says. "No serious physical injuries but the trauma to staff and to other visitors and patients can't be underestimated."
The incidents in question involved the weapon being discovered following the patient's entry and does not include any concealed weapons WRH was not aware of over the same period.
Musyj says he hopes appropriate signage and this system will deter people from bringing weapons to the hospital.
"Get rid of these items, don't bring them in to the department. If you're here to get clinical care, you don't need a knife and you definitely don't need a gun. Please get rid of them, which ever way you want to get rid of them, but don't come into the hospital with these devices," he says.
David Musyj, President and Chief Executive Officer of Windsor Regional Hospital, announces the Evolv Weapons Detection System will be installed at the hospital's two emergency departments. Oct. 18, 2023 (Photo: Rusty Thomson)
Windsor Regional Hospital is paying roughly $8,000 a month to lease the technology and have it in place at the two emergency departments.
Musyj says a hospital is a place to be healed, not to worry about your safety.
"Don't bring these items into an emergency department, think about it before you come into the emergency department," he says. "Get rid of those items. If you drove here, leave it in you car, do what ever, throw it in the garbage but don't come into the emergency department with it. We have got to ensure the safety of our patients and staff."
People who are pregnant, have implanted medical devices, or use mobility devices can pass through the system safely and this technology does not use face recognition at all.
Following a review of the technology, WRH will consider using it at other high-traffic areas of the hospital's campuses.