Athena Security WDS for Hospitals
Protect Patients, Staff, and Visitors Without Slowing Care
Unified entryway security built for hospitals and healthcare facilities, from the lobby to the ambulance bay. We bring weapons detection, visitor management, and ambulance bay screening into one platform, so your team protects people without slowing patient care.
Hospital Security Challenges Are Becoming More Complex
Several factors are raising the stakes for hospitals and healthcare organizations balancing patient care, access, and operational efficiency.
| Challenge | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Workplace Violence | Violence against hospital workers is about 4-5 times higher than the general workforce. |
| Weapons Entering Facilities | Concealed firearms and other dangerous items reach entryways every day. |
| Ambulance Bay Vulnerabilities | The ambulance bay is no longer a blind spot. Screen one of the hospital’s highest-risk entry points for weapons before they enter the emergency department. |
| Behavioral Health Security | One platform supports a layered security approach for behavioral health facilities. |
| Visitor Accountability | No clear record of who entered, when, or where they went. |
| Staff Safety Concerns | Safety fears affect staff members, retention, and team well-being. |
| Security Staffing Shortages | Open posts and turnover stretch security teams thin. |
| Compliance and Reporting | Audits make documentation essential, and manual logs can’t keep up. |
Built Specifically for Hospitals
Every layer is built for hospitals and the realities of healthcare safety, not retrofitted from another industry. It works the way healthcare settings actually run, from busy lobbies to emergency intake.
| Strength | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Built for Hospitals | Protects people without disrupting care, so staff can focus on patients. |
| Unified Platform | Ambulance Bay WDS, Hospital Visitor Management System, Apollo 500 WDS, AI Assisted X-Ray Baggage Scanner, Secondary Screening WDS, all in one system. |
| Operational Efficiency | A cost-effective way to keep entry flowing without raising staffing requirements. |
| Compliance Ready | Based on DHS best practices and proves your procedures were followed at audit time. |
A Layered Security Approach for Hospitals
Each layer protects one of your most critical entry points, and every layer reports into one platform. Security operators see every lane, get the context to make informed decisions, and manage screening, visitors, alerts, and data across multiple locations. Together, these layers help you maintain a weapons-free campus and unify physical security across every entryway. Built in compliance software documents each check, so no one is relying on a hand-held metal detector and a clipboard.
| Entry Point | Athena Layer |
|---|---|
Public Entrances Emergency Department Clinical & Specialty Entrances Staff Entrances Medical Office Buildings (MOBs) Loading & Service Areas Parking Garage Access | Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System (WDS) Hospital Visitor Management System AI Assisted X-Ray Baggage Scanner Secondary Screening WDS |
| Ambulance Bay | Ambulance Bay WDS |
| Security Operations | Athena Control Center Dashboard |
Manage screening, visitors, incidents, alerts, and reporting from a single platform.
The Most Vulnerable Door in the Hospital
For years, the ambulance bay stayed one of a hospital’s most overlooked gaps. Traditional security technology was never designed for emergency patient intake, so the bay stood open while the rest of the building was screened. That’s where threats walked in unnoticed.
Our Ambulance Bay Weapons Detection System identifies weapons in motion as patients and emergency personnel move through intake. Designed to enhance safety without interrupting patient care or slowing the screening process, so the most exposed entryway finally gets covered.
How Your Hospital Benefits
Each layer works to enhance security and advance public safety, from the lobby to the bedside.
| Outcome | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Safer Entry Points | Low-friction weapons detection at main entrances, emergency bays, and secondary screening points. |
| Smarter Security Operations | AI-assisted threat detection delivers more relevant data so operators make faster, better decisions. |
| Regulatory & Compliance Support | Hospital Visitor Management System automated documentation and audit trails support OSHA, Cal/OSHA, and AB 2975 requirements. |
| Better Hospital System Integration | Epic EHR integration, POI/VIP workflows, and hospital visitor management system connect security to existing infrastructure. |
| Enterprise Reporting & Analytics | Real-time and historical screening data supports leadership decisions and reduces administrative burden. |
Trusted by Leading Hospitals
Hospitals across the country trust us to protect patients, staff, and visitors. Integrated screening delivers significant value, in both time and cost.
Healthcare Security Resources
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| AB 2975 Compliance Resource | Compliance Ready — Covers all necessary entrances AB 2975 mandates by March 2027, and digitizes documentation aligned with DHS best practices so you can show your procedures were followed at audit time. |
| Ambulance Bay WDS Webinar | Join Chris Ciabarra, Co-founder and CTO, Athena Security Inc. for a walk-thru of the Ambulance Bay WDS. |
| Healthcare Blog Articles | The latest from our team on weapons detection, compliance, and visitor safety. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Athena differ from traditional metal detectors?▾
We’re not a metal detector. Our AI-powered weapons detection flags concealed firearms while letting keys, phones, and other harmless items pass, so lines keep moving. Legacy metal detection treats every set of keys like a threat. Our system is also tested safe for pacemakers and other medical devices.
Can Athena integrate with our existing security systems?▾
Yes. Our platform works with the hardware you already run, including Apollo, CEIA Opengate, Garrett, and Metrasens Ultra, and connects to your cameras, alarms, and access control.
How does ambulance bay screening work?▾
Our Ambulance Bay Weapons Detection System screens for weapons in motion as patients and crews move through intake. It flags potential threats without stopping care or slowing the screening process.
Can Athena support emergency department workflows?▾
Yes. We screen at emergency departments during high-volume times without creating bottlenecks, and alerts reach your team on tablets, phones, and AR glasses.
How does Athena help with workplace violence prevention?▾
Our platform documents every screening and watchlist check and gives security teams real-time alerts. That builds the data trail that supports your workplace violence prevention program.
What training and support are included?▾
Our team stays on-site for at least two days after installation, then supports you through the Athena Control Center and our support team. We also offer Active Shooter Training to pair technology with preparedness.
Ready to Evaluate Your Hospital’s Security Gaps?
Our specialists review your entry points, ED workflow, and workplace violence strategy.
Trusted by hospitals across the United States.
Compliance Note
No threat detection system can guarantee 100% effectiveness. Athena detection products are designed to enhance safety and help reduce threats when properly configured, deployed, and utilized. Athena solutions should be used as part of a comprehensive, multilayered security strategy.