‘I’m still scared’: B.C. nurse calls for safety improvements after patient wields machete at staff

A nurse is speaking out about a terrifying ordeal that unfolded inside a Metro Vancouver hospital.

A nurse at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, B.C., is opening up about a terrifying ordeal during a recent night shift.

“The patient came out, wielding a machete, waving it in the air,” said Victoria Treacy, a contract nurse at Eagle Ridge.

Treacy said the individual was “yelling and screaming” during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Staff managed to get away and no one was physically harmed.

Police arrived, guns drawn, after receiving multiple reports of a man acting erratically with a machete. The patient brought the weapon to the hospital, and was not checked by security.

“We treat this as a very high-risk call,” said Const. Sam Zacharias with the Port Moody Police Department.

CTV News has learned the suspect, described as a Maple Ridge man in his 20s, has a criminal history. He was arrested and taken into psychiatric care under the Mental Health Act, but has since been released under conditions not to return to the hospital and not possess any weapons. He’s next due in court March 27, and police are looking at recommending weapons-related charges.

“It’s my understanding that this individual has conditions not to possess weapons, so there is potentially charges related to breaching those conditions,” said Zacharias.

Treacy says she’s still traumatized from the incident, and is questioning whether or not she’ll return to work at Eagle Ridge Hospital.

“Currently, I’m still scared. I am fearful. I was extremely scared that night,” said Treacy, who’s now in counseling. “When I called my fiancé and my parents to come pick me up – because there was no way that I could drive after that – I was in a complete flight response. I just wanted to get out of there.”

In November, an Eagle Ridge nurse was attacked by a patient, resulting in serious injuries.

The B.C. Nurses’ Union says nearly 40 per cent of the province’s nurses report being exposed to a weapon at least once a month.

Treacy told CTV News multiple security measurements need to change.

“Some of the doors don’t always lock in and out of departments,” said Treacy.

She also wants patients’ bags to either be checked by security or placed in a locker upon arrival.

CTV News asked the Fraser Health Authority whether safety measures or changes are being considered.

“We take this very, very seriously,” said Jonathan Acorn, director of operations with integrated production services with Fraser Health. “The safety of our staff and our patients is our top priority. We work with our staff, we work with our contractors, we work with the ministry, and we’re always open to hearing people’s concerns. And we’re looking, we’re always open to looking for additional opportunities to improve things.”

Fraser Health was non-committal on any specific security changes coming to Eagle Ridge Hospital.

Treacy told CTV News she’s speaking out to help spark systemic change for hospital safety.

“It could’ve been a whole lot worse,” said Treacy. “If I hadn’t said something and something did happen worse, I would feel immense guilt, and I don’t want to live with that either.”