Newsletters

POSTED: March 18th, 2024
POSTED IN: 2024 Quarter 1, EM Pulse - The Official Newsletter of MOCEP,

Written by: Jason Grellner, Vice President, healthcare, Evolv Technology

More than 70% of workplace violence takes place in a healthcare setting and the majority of emergency physicians say that violence in the emergency department harms patient care.

Recognizing the urgent need to enhance safety in the ED while also protecting healthcare staff, Evolv Technology began partnering with hospitals to instate its AI-based weapons detection screening tool, Evolv Express. It now screens more than 500,000 hospital visitors every day and can be found across the U.S. – including in more than 25 hospital buildings in Missouri.

With Evolv in place, staff members can know their organization is committed to providing a safer working environment to provide better care and patient outcomes with proven engagement scores.

What is Evolv Technology and how does it work?

Evolv Technology is the leading security technology company pioneering AI-based screening to create safer experiences. It’s trusted by healthcare facilities across the country, including Mercy Health Hospitals.

While traditional metal detectors foster a prison-like experience, Express helps create a more dignified and welcoming entry for staff, patients and visitors. The system uses advanced sensors and AI technology to distinguish weapons from most commonly carried metal items, eliminating the need for manual screening while providing a frictionless experience.

Evolv In Action

Evolv aims to make the ED physically safer while making employees feel safer at work. Accomplishing this begins with detection.

One of Express’ key differentiators is that it knows – and relays – where on a person a potential threat is. When a potential threat is identified, the system alarms and hospital security or public safety personnel step in – prepared with an understanding of who triggered the alarm and where the suspected weapon is without the need for a secondary search.

Another standout Express feature is its powerful analytics dashboard. In addition to patterns in when the system alarms, Evolv Insights Analytics informs operators of the census of people moving through the ED to better understand volume and flow on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. The dashboard enables comprehensive and consistent internal reporting to ultimately increase overall operating efficiency.

In the ED, the frictionless experience Express enables also makes it compliant. It is a screening technology that allows individuals to move from their vehicle, to triage, to the department unabetted.

The system has other benefits too, including optimizing staff utilization. After beginning to rollout Express at its EDs, Mercy Health Hospitals needed 65% fewer resources to manage the system.

The Clinical Manager of one of Mercy’s EDs called Evolv a “safety net.” In its early days in use, Express identified multiple concealed firearms and knives. Working in a hospital – and particularly in the ED – requires employees to be acutely aware of danger. Implementing Express – and training personnel to use it correctly – helps ease fears of weapon-related violence so that optimal patient care is paramount