Coquitlam psychiatric hospital fined almost $650K after nurses attacked

ACoquitlam psychiatric hospital has been fined almost $650,000 for failing to maintain a safe workplace after two nurses were attacked by patients last spring.

TheForensic Psychiatric Hospital a 190-bed facility that treats mentally ill patients who have been accused of crimes has been the subject of numerous workplace assaults and complaints.

WorkSafeBC looked into two separate incidents involving assaults onnurses in March of 2018. A lengthyinvestigation concluded with the largest fine levied by the organization in its history, according to the B.C. Nurses Union (BCNU).

Union officials saythe recovering nurses remain physically and mentally traumatized while violent attacks on members and staff still occur at the site.

"Many nurses at that site have been victims of violence," said Christine Sorensen, the BCNU president. "[Nurses tell me] they go to work every day fearful that they'll be injured again."

The fine totals$646,304.88 and the BCNUmayrequest thatthe funds beinvestedinto workplace safety and prevention programs.

A history of violence

This isn't the first time the hospital has been hit with a fine. Since 2014, the hospital has paidnearly $100,000 in total for other safety-related infractions.

Last summer, two nurses were attacked by patients at theCoquitlam hospital within the same week. In 2012, a nurse was stabbed at the site.

The assaults have ignited callsfor more safety protection officers on site.

"I think every one of those incidents could have been prevented with the appropriate staffing, with the appropriate resourcesin place to supervise and redirect particular patients who were starting to escalate and appear to be moving towards physical violence," said Sorensen.

WorkSafeBC said the size of the fine partly reflects the employer's history of repeat safety violations.

A new action plan

According to the hospital, which is run by the Provincial Health Services Authority, safety measures have been put in place over the past nine months.

Following the2018 incidents, the hospital commissioned an external review into its services, which promptedan action plan to improve safety.

As of September 2018,the hospital has hiredadditional security officers, improved trainingand added more clinicalstaff. In that time, the number of WorkSafeBC claims has dropped, according to an official statement from thehospital.

"As a result of these changes we announced in the fall and others in our action plan, aggressive incidents have decreased significantly," saidLynn Pelletier, vice president at B.C. Mental Health and Substance Use Services, in an emailed statement.

"This plan in place has been co-developed with the unions,"addsPelletier.