PENTICTON — A patient allegedly assaulted his psychiatrist, breaking the doctor’s nose and causing other facial injuries in a sudden attack last December at Penticton Regional Hospital.
After an investigation, Interior Health and WorkSafe BC have concluded all psychiatric ward staff should wear personal duress alarms.
Lori Motluk, an IH health services administrator, said the added security measure will allow for quicker emergency response.
This initiative is estimated to cost $93,000.
IH had requested Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District (OSRHD) to help fund the alarms. But in order to do so, the regional hospital district would have had to delay a pediatric project.
OSRDH director and Penticton city councilor Judy Sentes said the pediatric project has been put on the back burner for far too long. The project is a room for child patients needing emergency care.
“I want to know, is there no other alternative to get that money?” questioned Sentes at Thursday’s regional district meeting. “If that information comes forward, I want some guarantee that the kids get their due respect because it has been deferred and deferred.”
It turns out there is another way to get the funding.
IH announced Friday afternoon it will be funding 100% of the psychiatric ward improvements.
“Safety of our patients and staff are paramount to us so we are very pleased with this announcement,” said Motluk.
The personal duress alarms will be in use within six months.
The Penticton hospital is the third in the health authority’s region to have the added security measure.
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