An investigation into an incident last year at the Forensic Psychiatric Institute in Coquitlam that resulted in a patient having his arm broken has been deemed an "unfortunate accident."
In a March 18 decision, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) found that forensic staff acted appropriately when a man appeared to threaten members of the evening nursing staff.
The incident occurred at around 11:20 p.m. on Jan. 20 when nurses were approached by a man wanting to use the phone past the permitted time.
The nurses were dispensing medications through a partially open door into the hallway when the tall patient, weighing approximately 300 pounds, became agitated.
He prevented the nurses from closing the door, followed them through the nursing station into the dining room and exhibited threatening behaviour, according to the IIO report.
The nurses hid in the nursing station and activated an alarm, bringing special provincial constables to the scene.
A plan was made, the IIO report states, and the patient was offered medication, which he threw away.
He also threatened to kill officers who were trying to lead him to a seclusion room.
Videos used as evidence show nurses trying to reassure the man and calm him down; however, at one point, the officers took him by each arm "in an apparent shift in group dynamic" and attempted to lead him into the seclusion room.
There was no video from the seclusion room, but staff witnesses say the patient was taken down "rather abruptly against his resistance on to the mattress."
Officers then held the man down and wrapped him in sheets to restrict his movements.
They then exited the room and, when the nurses returned to check on the man a half hour later, he said his arm hurt.
He was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a fracture of the upper arm, and his arm was placed into a sling.
According to the IIO report, the officers' actions were reasonable given the situation
"There is no evidence that excessive force was used at any point," the report reads.
"It was simply an unfortunate accident that in the course of taking a heavy and resistant man down onto a mattress to secure him, while holding his arms caused an injury to one arm. Indeed, the video demonstrates an approach taken by all staff that was focused on attempts to de escalate and use compassion with AP."
The matter won't be referred to Crown for charges.
