Atrium Health installs metal detectors at Triad emergency departments

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has begun installing metal detectors at emergency departments across its system. 

The health system announced in a news release that walk-through metal detectors are now active at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s adult emergency department in Winston-Salem, as well as at Davie and Wilkes Medical Centers.

Emergency department detectors will soon be placed at the Brenner Children’s Hospital and at High Point and Lexington Medical Centers.

Dr. Jason Stopyra, regional medical director for safety and security at Wake Forest Baptist, said in a statement that the metal detector installations are a key component in how the organization approaches the prevention of workplace violence. Director of Security Kevin Leonard says the hospital’s registration and metal screening processes are part of an “overall strategy to create a safer environment.”

Amnesty boxes will be placed outside emergency department entrances where patients and visitors can voluntarily discard prohibited items such as firearms and knives.