PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF SAFETY AND METAL DETECTORS IN AN URBAN EMERGENCYDEPARTMENT

Violence within the emergency department (ED) is an area of concern fo r both the staff and public. Emergency physicians and nurses express a great deal of concern for their personal safety. The use of weapons i n events occurring in the ED has prompted a call for the widespread us e of metal detectors. The use of these devices can meet with resistanc e regarding concerns over the creation of a bad image. This study exam ined the opinion of the public as to personal safety in an urban ED an d sought public opinion regarding the use of a metal detector. Althoug h the majority of the 303 persons surveyed felt safe (75%) in the ED a nd were satisfied with the level of security (68%), two thirds reporte d they would feel better if a metal detector was in use. Women were mo re likely than men to prefer the use of a metal detector. A small perc entage (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. Cop yright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company