Published Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 | 12:29 p.m.
Updated Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 | 1:37 p.m.
Harmon Hospital
An unintentional discharge of pepper spray sent two patients from the Harmon Medical and Rehabilitation Hospital to the emergency room Monday.
Eric Poleski, battalion chief for the Clark County Fire Department, said a call for emergency respiratory care came around 11:30 a.m. at the hospital, 2170 Harmon Ave.
Although initial reports varied about how many were affected, he said 20 people were treated for respiratory irritation. A personal pepper canister appeared to have been accidentally discharged in a nursing area.
"Nothing intentional or malicious," Poleski said.
Five ambulances and Metro's Hazmat unit were on the scene, he said, and crews used gas and electrical fans to ventilate the affected area. Two female patients were transported to Desert Springs Hospital for non-life threatening symptoms, Poleski said. The spill has been cleaned up, and the hospital has resumed operations.
— Jackie Valley, Sun reporter, contributed to this story.
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