BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – People entering Binghamton General Hospital and Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City must now go through a weapons detector.

The scanning devices were installed yesterday at the main entrances to both UHS hospitals.

Security personnel are also manning the entrances.

UHS tells NewsChannel 34 that the weapons detection systems are intended to enhance safety for patients, visitors and employees but were not implemented in response to any specific threat.

Unlike traditional metal detectors, people do not need to empty their pockets before walking through the system, as the technology can detect weapons and other potentially dangerous items.

UHS says 60 people per minute can walk through the detectors without delay.

The hospital chain says it already had similar screening devices at the entrances to its emergency rooms and it has had a longstanding prohibition against weapons of any kind on its properties.