WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- The Landmark Medical Center emergency room has reopened after it closed for several hours and the hospital diverted ambulances to other hospitals after an incident in the emergency room Friday afternoon required the use of pepper spray, which got into the ventilation system.
A statement from Landmark Medical Center issued at 6:29 p.m. said:
"This afternoon an incident occurred in our emergency room that required the response of the Woonsocket Police Department. During their response, pepper spray was utilized in our emergency room area to subdue an individual. Unfortunately, the pepper spray was pulled into the emergency room's ventilation system."
One patient was "minimally impacted," the statement said, and no other area of the hospital was affected.
The emergency room was reopened, an updated news release said at 7:51 p.m.
This item was originally posted at 7:38 p.m.