title: Public perception of safety and metal detectors in an urban emergency department.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, Philadelphia 19129, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D015143:Philadelphia; D012449:Safety / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012637:Security Measures; D014505:Urban Population; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals