Staff at Riverview Hospital are investigating whether changes in hospital procedures are necessary after a woman disappeared from the facility and was later found dead.
Patricia Donna Reed was found in a wooded area of the grounds Monday and was believed to have wandered away from the area where she was being housed last Wednesday.
Lynn Cook, the operating officer at Riverview, said an investigation will be conducted to find out what went wrong and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future.
"We are all very saddened by the events of the last few days," she told The Tri-City News. "We are going to be doing a thorough investigation. We are bringing in a large team of folks to figure out exactly what happened."
On Thursday, the CBC reported that Judy Johnston, Reed's sister, said there was "clear negligence" on the part of the hospital.
"I would not want any family to go through the hell we've been through since her disappearance," she said. "I wouldn't want anyone to die alone in the woods like my sister did."
Health Minister Colin Hansen said a critical incident review is underway and Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson wondered how it was possible that staff were unable to locate a patient who was missing on hospital grounds.
Cook said hospital staff go through three stages when conducting a search: The first phase involves a check of the patient's room, building and programming areas where he or she spends much of their time. That is followed by a search of the grounds conducted by hired security personnel. If the person still fails to turn up, police are notified and areas off the grounds, including familiar locations and homes of friends and family, are checked.
Because Reed was found in a wooded area, Cook said it may have been difficult for those searching the 244-acre property to find her. She also added that investigators are still uncertain as to how long Reed was at the location where her body was discovered.
"The area where she was found is not clearly visible," Cook said. "It was in a brush area that is not well travelled."
While Cook could not comment on specific patient information, she did say that most individuals who reside at the hospital have varying degrees of supervision, depending on what doctors believe they can safely handle. This ensures patients are able to slowly re-integrate themselves into society upon their eventual release from the hospital, she said.
Cook added that staff at the hospital have been shaken by Reed's death and she said she felt for the woman's friends and relatives.
"We certainly extend our deepest sympathies to the family," she said. "This is a very difficult time for them."
[email protected]
