Nova Scotia Health to use AI to help with security at Truro hospital
The Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, N.S., is pictured on May 8, 2025.
Nova Scotia Health is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to help with security at a Truro hospital.
The health authority is launching the pilot project at Colchester East Hants Health Centre (CEHHC) on Monday and says it's aimed at 'enhancing safety for patients, visitors and healthcare providers.'
An AI-powered weapons detection system will screen people entering the hospital's emergency department.
'The system specializes in non-invasive threat detection and uses artificial intelligence to identify potential weapons or dangerous items. If an item is flagged, additional screening or bag searches may occur,' reads a news release from Nova Scotia Health.
The pilot project is set to run for five days and will be monitored 24/7 by trained Paladin Security staff, according to the health authority.
'Safety is a top priority for everyone in our facilities—whether you're receiving care, visiting a loved one, or part of our team,' said Dean Stienburg, director of security for Nova Scotia Health.
'This new technology gives us another tool to help create a safer space for all. We are proud to be leading the way.'
Nova Scotia Health says items deemed unsafe will be stored and returned to the owner when they leave the property, while firearms and illegal weapons will be given to police.
If the pilot project at CEHHC is successful, Nova Scotia Health says it hopes to expand the use of the AI-powered weapons detection system to other entrances and sites across the Northern Zone.
The president of the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union, Janet Hazelton, says she's pleased the $7 million 'Safety Innovation Fund government committed to is being implemented to address this alarming but real threat to staff and others.'
'It's unfortunate that healthcare dollars must be spent on security, however I believe these measures fiercely remind the public that violence in our healthcare institutions will not be tolerated.'
The new security system is being implemented just a few weeks after a teen allegedly assaulted two security guards at the hospital by throwing bleach on them, striking one in the face.
At the time of the incident, Hazelton said it was further proof that violence in the health-care system 'is completely out of control.'
Nova Scotia Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson told CTV News feeling and being safe at work 'is paramount.'
'The safety and wellbeing of everyone working in our healthcare facilities is important to us all, and those working and seeking treatment in our hospitals and healthcare facilities deserve to be able to do so without fear of threat or violence.'
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
34 minutes ago
- CBC
Community shows support for unhoused woman allegedly targeted by driver in Brossard, Que.
Social Sharing Dozens of people gathered on Montreal's South Shore on Tuesday to show solidarity with a woman experiencing homelessness who police say was intentionally struck by a car last week. Standing before the crowd with a cast on her leg and bruises on her knee, Caroline Derome delivered a brief but emotional message. "I feel a lot of love, and it's absolutely helping me right now," she said, addressing supporters and members of the media. The rally, held in Brossard near the site of the incident, was organized by local shelters and community groups who say the event is a stark reminder of how vulnerable unhoused individuals remain. On May 27, Derome, 44, was struck by a car just steps from where she'd set up a tent the night prior on a residential street. The mother of two says she lost her job due to mental health issues, then lost her home. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries to her legs and needed surgery for a broken ankle after the incident. The driver, 46-year-old Luigi Fragomele, was charged with dangerous driving, assault with a weapon — in this case a vehicle — leaving the scene of an accident and mischief. He remains in custody, with a bail hearing set for Thursday. While the motive behind the alleged attack remains unclear, representatives from community groups said the situation highlights the importance of treating everyone, regardless of their housing status, with dignity and respect. "There's no face to homelessness," said Pierre Rousseau, who manages Halte du Coin, an emergency shelter in the area. "You wouldn't believe how many people I see, people I shake hands with, who don't even realize they're living in a homeless situation." Martine Audate, who works with the Brossard Consultation Table, a local organization that supports people in vulnerable situations, said the rising cost of living is creating more instability across the South Shore. "People think it's easier here than in downtown Montreal, but it's not," Audate said. "It's still very hard to get housing here." For now, Derome is staying with her brother as she recovers from her injuries. She says the support she's received from the community has been crucial to her healing, both physically and emotionally. "I feel privileged," she said.
Globe and Mail
35 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Thousands more flee as Saskatchewan battles wildfires in the north
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says thousands have fled a wildfire in the province's north, almost doubling the number of people already forced from their homes. Speaking on a Rawlco Radio show, Moe said about 7,000 people have evacuated the town of La Ronge, nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. An evacuation order was issued for the area Monday due to an encroaching wildfire. Some buildings, including homes, have been lost in the northern part of La Ronge, the premier said. '(The fires) came down on La Ronge in a little bit different way, according to the mayor I chatted with last night, than they even expected,' Moe said Tuesday on The Evan Bray Show. 'With the winds gusting and the dry conditions and just the veracity of these fires, it is really an untenable time.' Wildfire smoke map: Which parts of Canada are under air quality warnings? About 8,000 residents were already displaced by fires in Saskatchewan. In neighbouring Manitoba, fires have forced more than 17,000 people from their homes, including 5,000 residents of Flin Flon near the Saskatchewan boundary. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ordered the latest evacuation after fire breached the airport in La Ronge, a town of 2,500. Moe said flames took out the agency's tanker base as well as its communications base at the airport. None of the tankers were burned, he said. 'It is where we do the communications for all of the tankers, so we're putting in place our backup plan,' he said. Thousands of hotel rooms opened for wildfire evacuees from Western Canada Moe said the province is working with the federal government and the RCMP to determine whether military support is needed. He added that with no rain in the forecast, officials will 'have to keep this up for a few more days.' Evacuees have been told to head south to Prince Albert. The out-of-control fire was fast-moving and listed at more than 836 square kilometres in size as of Monday night. The Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Canadian Red Cross have said more than 45 acute-care patients and long-term care residents were being moved from the La Ronge Health Centre and care homes. La Ronge resident Terry Ross said Tuesday morning he was still in town, bringing the few people left in town to the community centre so they could evacuate. Despite the thick, smoky air and strong winds, he said the evacuation so far has been smooth. 'I know one car overheated on the highway,' he said. 'But other than that, it's been good.' Ross said he plans to meet up later Tuesday with his children, who left La Ronge on Monday and are now in Saskatoon. Derek Cornet, a La Ronge resident and reporter for local news outlet larongeNOW, said he saw firefighters setting up sprinklers and has seen some homes and cabins burned to the ground. It's the second wildfire to force out La Ronge residents in 10 years. 'People had a bit more of a head start in the 2015 (wildfire),' he said. 'This one took a lot of people by surprise because the winds are just so strong right now and the fire moved so quickly that a lot of people just weren't expecting it to arrive as quickly as it did.' Cornet said he planned to leave when it is no longer safe for him to stay. SaskTel, the province's main telecom provider, has said an outage is affecting internet, cellphone and landline phone services in the area. Air quality alerts have also been issued for parts of Saskatchewan due to the fires.
National Post
42 minutes ago
- National Post
Canucks: The Thatcher Demko dilemma of injury versus durability, pay versus trade
How much is too much? Article content If you're the Vancouver Canucks ' braintrust, assessing long-term competitiveness and compensation for starting goaltender Thatcher Demko is like the Rubik's Cube. Trying to properly align all sides can be tedious. Article content At his best, Demko is among the NHL's elite stoppers, and a Vezina Trophy finalist nomination in 2024 spoke to superiority when healthy. In 51 games in 2023-24, before being sidelined by a freak popliteus knee-muscle strain, he posted career-best 2.45 goals-against average, .918 saves percentage and five shutouts. Article content Article content And there's the rub. Article content From career hip, groin and knee ailments — plus that mysterious popliteus predicament at back of his knee in April of 2024 — a string of setbacks have tested the resolve to endure arduous rehabilitations. Demko did the work and nothing is impeding preparation for a heightened level of readiness next season. Article content However, it's the unknown that makes durability and contract-extension parameters a double dilemma for management. Demko, 29, has a year remaining on his expiring extension at a $5-million US salary-cap hit, and his camp can start talking contract on July 1. Article content Article content 'It's such a rare injury, but it could occur again if he were to have a movement or contact that causes the injury,' B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal told Postmedia on Monday. 'Some of the ways it could happen are direct contact to the outer knee, or even just rotation of his knee while it's flexed. Article content Article content 'Most muscles in the leg work to move the knee forward and backward. The popliteus is unique and important in starting flexion of the knee. To get into a butterfly, or any other position, the initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus. Article content Article content 'These types of plays happen a lot, and this injury is so rare that it would shock me to happen again. In terms of prevention, there's not much he could do outside of regular strengthening exercises and ensuring he has good mobility. Article content 'Managing his workload helps to reduce risk, but that's true for essentially all muscular injuries.' Article content Demko missed 15 games this season with an undisclosed Feb. 8 ailment, but had an encouraging run before that setback. A 3-1-1 run featured an encouraging 1.25 GAA, .952 saves percentage, and a shutout. Article content How the Canucks' crease conundrum plays out is like that Rubik's Cube. Kevin Lankinen, 30, has a five-year extension at $4.5 million in annual average value kicking in next season. And Arturs Silovs, 24, has a year left on his deal at $850,000 before becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
