News Story - Idaho State Journal

GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) _ Three hospitals in northern Idaho have instituted or are considering stricter security policies following an incident last month where police say an inmate patient managed to get the service revolver of the Idaho County deputy guarding him and fire two shots.

"We had to take a firmer stance to protect patients and employees, both," Todd Nida, chief administrative officer for St. Mary's Hospital in Cottonwood and Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino, told the Lewiston Tribune. Both hospitals are managed by Minnesota-based Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics.

Joe Cladouhos, administrator for Syringa General Hospital, said that the community-owned hospital near Grangeville is also looking beefing up security.

Douglas G. Wood, of Kooskia, was taken to a St. Mary's on April 9 after complaining of chest pains.

During the night he asked his guard, Rick Shira, a jailer for the Idaho County Sheriff's Department, if he could use the restroom.

Shira released Wood from leg shackles. Police say that when Wood returned and Shira attempted to put the shackles back on, Wood began hitting Shira over the head with a heart monitor.

Police say Wood grabbed Shira's gun, aimed it at Shira's head, and pulled the trigger, but the chamber was empty. Police say Wood succeeded in getting rounds to the chamber and fired twice, missing Shira both times. A hospital employee stepped in to help Shira subdue Wood.

Wood, 41, has been transferred to a maximum security prison in Boise and is charged with battery with intent to commit a serious felony on a peace officer, attempted escape and battery on a peace officer. He was already in custody on charges of aggravated battery on a peace officer and battery with the intent to commit murder and burglary.

Nida said St. Mary's and Clearwater Valley security policy will now require that two guards accompany an inmate patient.

"This addresses patient/prisoner inmates," Nida said. "Our other security policies are still in place and we are also looking at other security issues, just to further expand on protecting patients and employees."

Also, inmate patients will be secured to the bed by one arm or leg unless a medical or surgical condition prevents it. And restrictive devices will be required when escorting inmates to and from the restroom or when the prisoner is moved within the hospital.

Among the other rules are that inmate patients will not be allowed visitors or telephone calls, and no information about the inmate patient will be provided to the public.

"We may be rural, but that no longer ensures our safety," said Nida. "It behooves us to be proactive in terms of security."

Cladouhos said Syringa General Hospital plans to review how security can be increased.

"Everyone in health care is re-evaluating their security policies after that incident," Cladouhos sa

This document was originally published online on Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of our paper.

axeman wrote on May 14, 2008 5:32 AM:

" It's ironic that these small community hospital a willing to step their security procedures but Portneuf still doddles in the past. Although they have a good security department, officers are very well trained and are proactive to most problems that arrive at the hospital. they are very helpful and always present. But with the increase on mental illnesses and and drug abusers more should be done to make our hospitals safe, such as visitor passes and tighter restriction of unauthorized and after hours visitation. "

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