Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger will phase in metal detector screenings at all hospital entrances this year, starting with Geisinger Medical Center, also in Danville, on March 30.
All visitors, patients and staff entering through public entrances will be screened, similar to airport or courthouse procedures. Weapons are prohibited and must be returned to vehicles if detected.
The health system first implemented metal detectors in its emergency departments in 2021. Since then, the screening protocols have already prevented thousands of weapons from entering Geisinger facilities.
“We’ve seen the benefits of these screenings,” Sean McGinley, associate vice president of police and security operations for Geisinger, said in a March 18 news release. “Violent events in healthcare are a growing concern everywhere. This is a natural evolution of our robust security measures.”
The enhanced screenings are part of the system’s broader workplace safety push. Other investments include a private police force rolled out in 2025, specialized staff training, a K-9 program and AI-enabled security cameras.
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