A woman was killed in her room at Kennedy University Hospital in Stratford, N.J., nine days after a man's suicide at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden. Another man fatally shot himself in March at Inspira Medical Center in Woodbury, according to an article on the Courier Post Online website.
In the wake of these incidents, local hospitals have increased security measures, but administrators say there's no way to guarantee safety in facilities open to the public around the clock.
The latest shooting occurred even though Kennedy Health System formed a security task force after the Inspira shooting.
One task force result: Kennedy is installing "panic buttons" to alert security personnel to problems. Kennedy also has repositioned security personnel to higher-visibility areas.
Other hospitals have ongoing efforts to assess and improve security systems.
Lourdes uses metal detectors to screen patients entering its mental health units and Cooper University Hospital in Camden employs has them in its emergency room.
A 'Superbug' Is on the Rise in Hospitals
The Next Generation of Security Tech in Healthcare Facilities
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Petersburg Opens
Why More Facilities are Adding Gender Neutral Restrooms
Massachusetts Hospital Cyberattack Reflects Growing Vulnerability in Healthcare Systems