Hospitals can be difficult to protect from gun violence, experts say

Staffing, equipment can be cost-prohibitive


The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) briefly considered installing permanent metal detectors until it they found out it would cost $980,000 to staff the detectors every year, according to an article on The Post and Courier website.

There are about two dozen entrances to MUSC’s hospital buildings. Each detector would need to be staffed by three people

The dilemma has played out at other hospitals, too, where leaders are considering how best to protect their facilities as mass shootings become more common. Many find hospital complexes are difficult to protect. 

“Hospitals are the institutions we rely on to keep their doors open to everyone, which makes them more difficult to secure,” Schipp Ames, spokesman for the South Carolina Hospital Association, said in an email. “Because healthcare campuses have become more vast, hospitals now have more access and entry points to monitor and protect.”

Read the article.

 

 



September 10, 2018


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Texas Law Limits Backup Power Mandates for Senior Care Facilities

As Texas relaxes generator mandates, healthcare facility managers now face tough decisions about emergency power investments and resident safety.


Cyber Crossfire: Why Healthcare Is Becoming a Battleground in Global Conflicts

As geopolitical tensions escalate, hospitals and critical suppliers are increasingly targeted in cyberattacks.


UPMC Presbyterian Receives $65 Million Gift for New Bed Tower

The tower is projected to open for patient care in early 2027.


Premier Health Partners Falls Victim to Cyber Incident

The incident occurred in July 2023.


Backup Power's Expanding Role in Emergency Preparedness for Healthcare

Manufacturers discuss design strategies, code shifts and lessons learned from real-world disasters.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.