South Bend Memorial Hospital increases safety measures with threat detection system

The screening system, installed in June, is identical to the detector that's been at Memorial's Emergency Department entrance since October 2023, Heidi Prescott, Senior Media Relations Strategist with Beacon Health System, said by email. Staffed by trained officers, the walk-through screening allows people to enter without emptying their pockets or bags, she said.

The decision to add the screening system was not related to any particular event, Prescott explained. Rather, it's an additional measure to ensure the safety of everyone within the hospital. Like hospitals nationwide are adapting, Beacon's interest in adding this security measure is in "reducing risks" and "delivering outstanding care," Prescott said. Community Health Network, based in Indianapolis, launched their AI-powered weapon detection system in Nov. 2023, which discreetly alerts security of a "risk item," they said in a press release.

There's no current plan to remove the detection system from either of Memorial Hospital's entrances, Prescott said. Memorial is Beacon Health System's only hospital with the screening system in place, she said.