Berkeley and Jefferson Emergency Departments take next step to strengthen safety with new detection systems

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — To create a safe and welcoming environment for the communities it serves and the teams that provide care, WVU Medicine is implementing weapons detection systems in the emergency departments at Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center.  

The touch-free systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into emergency department operations and are set to be fully functional and implemented by Friday, June 19. Patients and visitors entering the department walk through the system and proceed directly to check-in and triage. Only those who trigger the system are briefly asked to stop so security staff can discreetly review the item. 

The installation aligns with updated industry standards and reflects security practices increasingly used in hospitals across the region. 

“Providing a safe environment is fundamental to delivering high-quality care,” said Chuck DiBello, vice president of operations, Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers. “These weapons detection systems enhance safety while maintaining dignity and respect for everyone who enters our emergency departments. Most importantly, they do so without creating barriers or delays to care.” 

This technology helps create a calm, efficient entry experience, reducing uncertainty at the door and allowing care teams to remain focused on what matters most: delivering compassionate, timely care in what is often a high-stress environment. 

Dr. Ben Deuell, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, emphasized the impact on both patient care and team members: 

“In the emergency department, every second counts, but so does the environment in which care is delivered. Creating a safe, calm, and controlled setting allows our physicians, nurses, and staff to stay fully focused on our patients when they need us most. This added layer of security not only supports our team’s well-being, but ultimately enhances the quality, speed, and compassion of care we provide to our community, even in the most critical moments.”  

“The system is designed to be unobtrusive and efficient,” said Ben Repine, director of security for WVU Hospitals East. “For most people, the experience is as simple as walking through and moving on to check in. When an item needs closer review, our trained security team handles it quickly and professionally.” 

Hospital staff will be available to answer questions and guide patients and visitors through the process.  

The weapons detection system is the latest tool to enhance security on the Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Center campuses. Earlier this year, a visitor badging system was implemented to strengthen emergency readiness by providing real-time awareness of who is inside each facility. 

For more information, visit Visitation Guidelines | Berkeley Medical Center, or Visitation Guidelines | Jefferson Medical Center