A mother holding a newborn baby while their brother watches.

Weapon Detection in Maternity Wards

Introduction: Why Maternity Ward Security Matters

Maternity centers, labor units, and nurseries are among the most sensitive and vulnerable areas in any hospital. These departments care for new mothers, newborn infants, and families during recovery, moments that should feel safe, not threatened. However, the open and welcoming design of hospitals can expose maternity wards to risks, including insider threats and violent disputes. Implementing advanced weapon detection systems helps strengthen hospital security and prioritize family safety. Visible screening not only helps protect mothers, infants, and visitors but also reassures families that the hospital is a secure environment to welcome a child.

These safeguards are equally critical for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, who face growing risks of workplace violence. Nearly 76% of healthcare workers reported experiencing violence in the past two years… (Healthcare Workforce Innovation Alliance, 2025). A recent incident confirms this growing statistic as the Ohio State University Nurses Association is accusing University Hospital management of negligence after a visitor violently assaulted a nurse on November 6, 2025. The nurse reportedly tried to break up a fight between a female patient and a male family member holding a newborn when the man strangled her and dragged her down the hallway. The union said staff failed to check on the nurse afterward and is calling for the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer Elizabeth Seely. The hospital confirmed the attack and admitted that the nurse did not receive support services until the next morning, pledging to review its procedures. The incident has intensified concerns over rising violence in hospitals and workplace safety for nurses.

Maternity wards, like other hospital units, are not immune to threats such as violence, weapons, and patient safety risks. Reports of nurses and physicians facing verbal aggression or even physical assault from distressed family members or hostile individuals are becoming more common. These incidents place a heavy emotional and physical burden on professionals who are already working under high-stakes conditions. In labor wards and nurseries, where mothers and infants are least able to protect themselves, reliable weapon detection technology is urgently needed. Strong hospital security systems help reduce these risks, allowing families peace of mind and enabling hospital staff to focus on providing safe, quality care.

The Security Challenge in Maternity Wards

To maintain a welcoming and open environment, hospitals must balance accessibility with oversight. In maternity units, this balance is especially delicate. Key risks include:

  • High visitor traffic: Family and friends frequently visit the labor ward and nursery, often during extended hours.
  • Patient vulnerability: Postpartum mothers and newborn infants are among the least capable of responding in emergencies.
  • Conflict escalation: Custody disputes, domestic issues, or community tensions can spill into the maternity ward environment.

The Joint Commission (2022) emphasizes that inadequate visitor management and weak weapon detection practices significantly increase the risk of violence in healthcare. This makes maternity units and nurseries especially in need of strong, compassionate, and visible hospital security measures.

Why Hospitals Should Use Weapon Detectors

Real-World Data on Weapons in Hospitals

Unfortunately, weapons being confiscated in hospitals is far more common than expected. A 2024 review found that about 4% of patients and visitors carried weapons…with rates as high as 24% in trauma wards (Parikh et al., 2024). Cleveland Clinic reinforced this reality by reporting more than 30,000 confiscated weapons in 2023 (Becker’s Hospital Review, 2024). Hospitals using detection technology were five times more likely to confiscate dangerous items (Blando, Paul, & Szklo-Coxe, 2021). These figures show why maternity wards, where mothers, infants, and staff are highly vulnerable, must adopt concealed weapons detection as part of hospital security.

Weapon Interception

Walk-through weapon detectors can help prevent concealed threats before they enter labor wards or nurseries. For example, a Level 1 trauma center’s emergency department deployed passive weapons screening over a 12-month period and detected 1,741 weapons…compared to fewer than one weapon detected per month before the system was installed (Blau et al., 2024). Advanced protection measures, such as weapon detection systems, are essential to mitigate these risks and create a secure environment for these sensitive units. 

Deterrence

Visible hospital security tools, such as weapon detectors, send a clear message: weapons are not tolerated. This deters violent incidents before they begin, creating safer environments for mothers, infants, doctors, and nurses.

Consistency and Reliability

Unlike manual bag checks, which rely on staff discretion, automated systems provide uniform, reliable screening. This consistency is essential in busy maternity wards, where large visitor volumes can overwhelm hospital staff.

Best Practices for Implementing Weapon Detectors in Maternity Units

Hospitals can strengthen security without compromising patient trust by following best practices:

  • Strategic Placement: Position weapon detectors at maternity ward entrances for targeted protection.
  • Staff Training: Equip hospital security teams with both technical skills and empathetic communication to reassure families, doctors, and nurses.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Verify systems meet recognized safety standards, with proper certifications and records kept up to date.
  • Healthcare-Appropriate Technology: Choose compact, non-intimidating detectors designed for hospital environments.

Balancing Safety and Patient Trust

Hospital security measures must support, not hinder, the mission of care. In maternity units, this means ensuring that weapon detection systems feel protective, not punitive. Hospitals can strengthen trust by:

  • Posting clear explanations of security protocols at maternity ward entrances.
  • Training staff to emphasize that detectors help protect mothers, newborns, doctors, and nurses.
  • Maintaining a welcoming atmosphere in labor and nursery wards, even while enhancing safety.

Conclusion: Protecting Mothers, Infants, and Healthcare Workers

With workplace violence in healthcare rising, maternity units need proactive protection. Weapon detection technology is part of a comprehensive plan for helping to protect mothers, infants, and the medical staff who care for them.

Hospital leaders should act now: assess maternity ward security, consult experts, and install reliable weapon detection systems. Hospital security is patient safety. By making this investment, hospitals strengthen their mission of healing while ensuring the safety of everyone inside.

Why CEIA OPENGATE® Is the Best Choice for Hospitals

For hospitals seeking a proven solution, CEIA OPENGATE delivers speed, accuracy, and safety with minimal disruption. 

Key advantages include:

  • Lightweight and Portable: Deployable in under one minute, perfect for dynamic hospital environments.
  • Non-Intrusive: Allows patients, visitors, doctors, and nurses to move quickly without removing personal items.
  • Comprehensive Threat Detection: Identifies a wide range of metallic threats while meeting international security standards.

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