Student nurse attacked with knife at Vancouver hospital, union says
A horrifying incident took place at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) on Thursday, where a student nurse was attacked with a knife. The B.C. Nurses’ Union reported that this attack occurred during the victim’s first clinical placement, making it an especially traumatic experience for her.
The Vancouver Police Department responded to the assault at around 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, with a 37-year-old woman sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. The perpetrator, a 48-year-old man who was a patient at the hospital, was arrested by the VPD. However, due to his need for further medical and psychiatric care, he was released into the secure care of the hospital. Charges are expected to be recommended against him.
Adriane Gear, the president of the B.C. Nurses’ Union, expressed the shock and fear that the nurse experienced as a result of the attack. She mentioned that while the nurse only suffered superficial wounds, the impact on her, as well as other staff and patients at VGH, was significant. Gear emphasized that the safety of nurses directly affects patient care, highlighting the importance of addressing workplace violence in healthcare settings.
In response to this incident, Gear called for the hiring of more relational security officers across British Columbia. These officers are trained to anticipate and de-escalate violence in healthcare environments. Additionally, she urged for stricter enforcement of directives against workplace violence by health authorities. Gear also proposed an investigation into the matter, involving the participation of workplace regulator WorkSafeBC.
The union president emphasized the need for collaboration among governments, health authorities, unions, regulators, and nursing schools to bring about systemic changes that ensure the safety of healthcare workers. She referenced a recent poll conducted among BCNU members, revealing that a concerning number of nurses in the Vancouver Coastal Health authority had been exposed to weapons on a regular basis, leading many to contemplate leaving the profession.
Gear cautioned that the province’s efforts to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios would be ineffective unless significant improvements are made to nurses’ working conditions. She hoped that this alarming incident would serve as a wake-up call for health authorities to prioritize the safety of nurses and take necessary measures to prevent future occurrences of violence in healthcare settings.
A spokesperson from Vancouver Coastal Health reiterated their commitment to the safety of both patients and staff, stating that violence is not tolerated within their facilities. They assured that regular reviews of practices and incidents are conducted to enhance safety measures for staff and patients alike.
