SALISBURY – Last September, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional began renovating the walk-in entrance to the Salisbury hospital’s emergency/trauma center as part of a security enhancement effort, which included the installation of a metal detection system in a vestibule immediately outside the waiting area.

Those renovations have been completed and the hospital’s metal detection system will become operational Monday, May 13.

Anyone entering the emergency/trauma center through the walk-in entrance will be screened prior to being admitted to the waiting and registration areas.

TidalHealth asks everyone to please make sure they empty their pockets of cell phones, keys, smart watches, RFID-blocking wallets, steel-toe footwear, vaping pens and certain belts prior to screening. Purses and bags are also subject to inspection. Signage will be posted at the screening area as a reminder and protection services officers will be present to assist.

Additionally, a secondary layer of security has been added that prevents patients and visitors from directly accessing the hospital from the emergency/trauma waiting area.

As the emergency/trauma center becomes its own stand-alone unit, anyone needing to leave the area or enter the hospital will have to exit through the vestibule. Those returning will be rescreened prior to entry.

TidalHealth thanks our community for their support and understanding as we work to improve the safety to everyone working on or visiting our campus. Additional security enhancements, including metal detection at other entrances, are planned.