AI Weapons Detection in Healthcare: Modernizing Hospital Physical Security

Why Healthcare Facilities Are a Target for Workplace Violence

Unlike office buildings that can lock their doors to anyone who doesn’t have security clearance, hospitals must remain easily accessible to the general public.

“Healthcare facilities are an open environment,” says Paul Baratta, industry development manager for healthcare at Axis Communications. 

But easy, open access comes with security risks, especially in high-traffic emergency rooms.

“One of the biggest challenges is making sure the hospital is welcoming but also safe for patients, staff and visitors,” Baratta says. “There’s no magic shield around the hospital.”

How AI Weapons Detection Systems Work in Healthcare Environments

While generally effective, standard metal detectors can miss weapons such as 3D-printed firearms and other homemade ghost guns. And traditional security technologies such as video surveillance systems limit staff to responding to incidents only after they’ve happened.

By contrast, AI weapons detection solutions can spot weapons that metal detectors don’t — and can identify threats before they become serious security incidents.

With AI models trained on many types of weapons, AI weapons detection systems can recognize both open and concealed weapons, and they can distinguish between, for example, revolvers and shotguns. By training on real-world data, the AI solutions can tell the difference between medical equipment such as IV poles and actual weapons, reducing false alerts.

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Once AI cameras pick up on a threat, the video management system sends alerts about the event and its location to the healthcare security team, which can determine if the threat is real and then respond. In effect, AI-powered video intelligence offers real-time monitoring and alerts that standard cameras cannot provide.

AI also can be used on sensor portals that detect the magnetic signatures of firearms as distinct from those of everyday items such as phones and keys, without requiring visitors to empty their pockets or undergo pat-downs. Cameras then capture the images and locations of persons who trigger an alert. In addition, intelligent sensors with built-in analytics can pick up on behavior such as duress and sounds such as raised voices or gunshots.

“Today, with intelligent sensors and cameras, security is proactive rather than reactive,” Baratta says.

Evaluating Risks and Gaps Before Considering Healthcare Safety and Security Vendors 

Before they consider vendors of AI weapons detection tech, healthcare IT leaders first need to assess their current security solutions and needs, Baratta advises.

 “You have to start by understanding your existing risks and security gaps,” he says.

This involves evaluating the number and location of entrances to the hospital and the times when each entrance is open or closed. Crime statistics for the hospital’s area can also clarify the potential risk.

With a clear understanding of their current security risks and solutions, IT leaders can evaluate the best AI weapons detection technologies to meet their needs across the facility. Emergency rooms in particular have more exposure, so they should have more security, such as AI cameras and access control that can prevent unauthorized access.

Integrating Weapons Detection and Aligning With Healthcare Regulatory Requirements 

AI weapons detection software needs to align with the hospital’s existing security policies and procedures, and staff must be trained on it, Baratta says.

As part of the technology integration, hospitals should have in place a process for what happens when AI does detect a weapon. Does the security officer take the weapon? If so, how does the officer later return it? Or, does the officer instruct the visitor to place the weapon in their car before entering the facility?

Any security event, Baratta says, should be reported to a hospital’s Environment of Care Committee, a multidisciplinary group that, in line with Joint Commission requirements, reviews the hospital’s physical environment safety program. “No technology is perfect. Even with AI detection, a weapon still might get into a facility,” he says.

State laws vary widely, with some states permitting open carry and others allowing concealed carry. The hospital and its security team should be aware of state and local laws and clearly post its own organizational policies regarding on-premises weapons, Baratta says.

Also, for healthcare organizations, video surveillance isn’t just an internal concern. These organizations must comply with regulations such as the HIPAA Security Rule for the security of all data captured by video surveillance software.

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Building the Business Case for AI Weapons Detection Systems in Healthcare Facilities

In addition to the IT team, the security, risk management and legal teams should all be involved in building the business case for AI weapons detection systems in hospitals. Once IT leaders have the buy-in of these stakeholders, “it’s easier to bring the solution forward to the capital committee to purchase it,” Baratta says.

Also, both IT and security teams need to understand AI weapons detection technology and appreciate its importance. “So, if something happens to the technology, IT understands it is a priority and needs to be addressed immediately,” Baratta says.