Two local Geisinger facilities to introduce entrance screenings

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center is expected to introduce security screenings at its public entrances by the end of the summer, followed by Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton in the fall. This is part of the health system’s commitment to creating safe and secure hospital environments.

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital will also implement the screenings starting on Monday, July 13.

Since March, the health system has begun screening for weapons at the entrances of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital and Geisinger Medical Center Muncy.

“Just in a short time, this screening program has already identified and helped keep hundreds of weapons, such as knives and handguns, out of our hospitals,” said Sean McGinley, associate vice president of police and security operations for Geisinger. “We have, unfortunately, seen an increase of violent action against our staff, and this is one of many tools we use to make sure we have a safe environment for everyone who comes to Geisinger.”

Weapons of any kind, including firearms and knives, are prohibited from all Geisinger facilities. Any weapon found during a screening must be returned to the individual’s vehicle. Patients, staff and visitors are all subject to security screenings.