AI Scanners at Hospitals: A Game-Changer for Safety

0:00After a stabbing incident and Halifax infirmary last year, that injured staff, Nova Scotia Health rode out weapon detectors to keep knives, box, cutters, hacksaws, and even makeshift blades from getting inside. These scanners catch everyday items turn dangerous, like a modified paper cutter arm or a hidden blade in a keychain. They started with basic metal detectors, but those beep too much from phones and belts, causing backups. So, in December, they upgraded to AI-powered ones that pinpoint threats on a screen, letting guards check fast without hassle. Now these smart devices are at four hospitals, with seven more coming this fall. Staff and the nurses unions say it's a game changer for safety. No one wants surprises from backpacks, or pockets in high stress emergency rooms, and screening at the door, eases that worry, big time. Dean Steinberg, the security director, notes it's not perfect, but folks feel way more secure. Stats from Freedom of InfraRequest show about 75,000 people pass through Halifax infirmary,

1:02monthly, with roughly one weapon per one, 100 screened over 200,000 total checks so far. Most folks aren't out to cost trouble, they just carry tools for work or self-defense. People can stash items in free lockers, cars, or hand them over like a coat check for later pickup or disposal. As everyone gets used to it, fewer flags pop up, proving these measures are dialing down risks while keeping hospitals open and welcoming. From your city, powered by AI, this is Calvary News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.