Citation

McNamara R, Yu DK, Kelly JJ. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 1997; 15(1): 40-42.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, Philadelphia 19129, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9002567

Abstract

Violence within the emergency department (ED) is an area of concern for both the staff and public. Emergency physicians and nurses express a great deal of concern for their personal safety. The use of weapons in events occurring in the ED has prompted a call for the widespread use of metal detectors. The use of these devices can meet with resistance regarding concerns over the creation of a bad image. This study examined the opinion of the public as to personal safety in an urban ED and sought public opinion regarding the use of a metal detector. Although the majority of the 303 persons surveyed felt safe (75%) in the ED and were satisfied with the level of security (68%), two thirds reported they would feel better if a metal detector was in use. Women were more likely than men to prefer the use of a metal detector. A small percentage (11%) of the public reported a fear of being physically harmed in the ED. Concerns about the potential for a negative image caused by use of a metal detector do not appear warranted in this urban ED.

Language: en