Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) will permanently install a weapons detection system at the entrance to its emergency department following a successful three-week trial last summer.
The Xtract One SmartGateway system will be installed and activated on Tuesday, July 7. Once in place, everyone entering or re-entering the hospital through the emergency department will be required to pass through the system’s sensors.
The permanent installation follows a three-week trial in June 2025, during which 113 items were detected and removed from people entering the regional hospital that services a population of 600,000 people.
PRHC’s decision to install the weapons detection system comes as hospitals across Canada are responding to increased concerns about violence and weapons in healthcare settings.
In April, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions reported that 95 per cent of nurses surveyed across Canada had experienced workplace violence or harassment in the previous year, and has called for violence-prevention infrastructure including weapons detection systems, surveillance cameras, and personal alarms.
In Ontario, Windsor Regional Hospital has been using AI weapons detection at its emergency departments since 2023, while London Health Sciences Centre announced last year it was installing similar systems at its emergency departments.
PRHC says the Xtract One system uses artificial intelligence and sensor technology to detect potential weapons while distinguishing them from everyday items. Unlike traditional metal detectors, the system allows people to walk through without stopping or removing items such as phones, keys, or metal water bottles.
According to Xtract One Technologies, the SmartGateway system is designed to provide high-throughput screening without requiring people to divest personal belongings or undergo secondary screening unless a potential threat is detected.
“Healthcare organizations are increasingly embracing digital transformation strategies that enhance safety without compromising the patient experience,” said Xtract One CEO Peter Evans in a media release.
“Our work with Peterborough Regional Health Centre demonstrates how forward-thinking providers can balance intelligent screening technology that proactively addresses modern threats with the openness and accessibility that are essential to care environments,” Evans added.
PRHC says the system is mobility and accessibility-friendly and supports wheelchairs, walkers, and assistive devices. The hospital notes the system does not use facial recognition technology.
For people who have medical devices, mobility needs, or other considerations, alternative screening will be available. PRHC adds that it will also continue to respect spiritual and cultural practices throughout the screening process.
“As the Peterborough region’s largest employer, PRHC views care and safety as inseparable,” said Jennifer Taylor, PRHC’s vice-president and chief financial officer.
“We believe that every team member, patient, family member, and caregiver deserves to feel safe and supported from the moment they walk through our doors. SmartGateway is a solution we’re proud to introduce in our emergency department, where it will support us to uphold this standard for patients and families, who depend on us to be there when they need us most.”
Xtract One says PRHC selected the system following the hospital’s pilot and evaluation period, including testing in a real-world clinical environment. The company says the deployment adds to its growing presence in healthcare settings, following previous Canadian deployments in Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.
