Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre to implement entrance security screenings May 18

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - As part of a phased implementation of entrance security screenings at each of Geisinger's hospitals, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre will introduce security screenings on Monday, May 18.

These public-entrance screenings are intended to keep the hospital safe for all who work, receive care or visit their loved ones in the facility.

Beyond the screening already in place at the emergency room, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre will only screen patients and visitors at the main entrance on Church Street. Screening will take place from 5:30 a.m., when the entrance opens, to 8 p.m., when visiting hours end. After 8 p.m., all visitors must enter the hospital through the emergency room.

When the main-entrance screening begins, the footbridge that connects the parkade to the hospital will become an employee-only entrance. Patients will enter the hospital through the main entrance or emergency room. Services offered in the Medical Arts Building will still be accessible from the parkade.

Because they will pass through metal detectors similar to those at airports and courthouses, everyone using public hospital entrances will be asked to remove metal objects from their pockets. If the detector activates, a security officer will conduct a scan with a handheld device.

Geisinger has used a similar process with metal detectors at all emergency room entrances since 2021, preventing thousands of weapons and other dangerous items from entering its facilities.

"Our hospitals are places of healing," said Sean McGinley, associate vice president of police and security operations for Geisinger. "We take security seriously and are continuing to improve and enhance our tools and training. This is yet another investment we're making for the safety of our employees, patients and visitors."

The screenings started at Geisinger Medical Center in March, with all Geisinger hospitals expected to adopt the security measure by the beginning of 2027.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation's leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in rural and urban communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 130 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses - and Geisinger Health Plan, with 509,000+ enrollees in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 600 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,600 clinical research studies. With 28,000 employees, including 1,900 employed physicians and 5,400 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania's largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $18 billion on the state's economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.