Thousands of weapons intercepted at Hampton Roads, Va. hospitals [Video]

NORFOLK, Va. — What do machetes, handguns, and crossbows have in common?

People in Hampton Roads have tried to bring all of them into hospital emergency departments in recent years.

In most cases, people plead ignorance or forgetfulness. But others have more sinister motivations.

What are hospitals and lawmakers doing to keep weapons out of hospitals?

New AI-powered weapon detectors

Doctors and nurses suit up knowing the risk they face for just doing their jobs. Healthcare workers are five times more likely to be injured at work than people in other professions.

The disparity is forcing healthcare leaders to take a critical review of their own security. Leaders at Sentara Health credit a few recent safety changes with a reduction in workplace violence.

In October 2022, Sentara installed new concealed weapons detectors at the entrances to the emergency departments at …