A first for Atlantic Canada, a pilot project to screen for weapons using artificial intelligence is at a Truro hospital.
In a news release, Nova Scotia Health says the AI system is in the emergency department at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre and will be monitored 24/7 by trained Paladin Security staff.
If an item is flagged, you may be screened again or have your bag searched.
Items that are deemed unsafe will be “securely stored” and returned to the owner when they leave the hospital.
All firearms and illegal weapons will be handed over to police.
Janet Hazelton, the president of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union says she “encouraged” and “intrigued” by the plan to tackle safety concerns in hospitals where nurses are often at risk
“I’m pleased that the seven-million-dollar Safety Innovation Fund government committed to is being implemented to address this alarming but real threat to staff and others. It’s unfortunate that healthcare dollars must be spent on security, however I believe these measures fiercely remind the public that violence in our healthcare institutions will not be tolerated,” says Hazelton.
The move comes after metal detectors were installed at the QEII as well as the Dartmouth General earlier this year due to safety concerns.
If this pilot is successful it will expand to other sites in the Northern Zone and province.
It runs from May 26 until May 30.
