New Jersey hospital addresses workplace violence with weapons screening

The Virtua Camden emergency department, located in Camden, N.J., included a weapons screening area when  planning to redesign the ED triage and waiting areas, according to an article on the Campus Safety website.

The facility also determined the best staffing mix was having two security officers deployed 24/7. One officer can provide guidance for guests entering the ED. The other security officer can manage the overall people/weapons screening process.

The healthcare facility also installed an amnesty box to allow patients and visitors to voluntarily dispose of illegal or prohibited items, like illegal drugs and weapons. 

Virtua used exterior signs to provide warnings that people/weapons screening would take place before they would enter the ED. 

Read the article.