Hospital in trouble for too-real drill

LAS VEGAS, July 3 (UPI) -- A Nevada hospital is likely to be fined for an emergency drill in the intensive care unit that featured an armed man who took employees hostage, officials say.

Nurses and other employees at the Siena Campus of St. Rose Dominican Hospital did not realize the gunman was an off-duty police officer with an unloaded weapon, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

The state Health Division said Friday the hospital may be ordered to pay an $800 fine because some patients were left without care for as long as 15 minutes during the May 24 drill.

The hospital has already had one brush with a real gunman. Last year, police killed a man who threatened staff in the emergency room with a gun.

A report on the over-the-top training incident said eight employees, including doctors, nurses, a respiratory therapist and the ICU director, were lined up against the wall in a staff room. The gunman revealed his true identity after about 5 minutes but kept the employees in the room for another 10 before allowing them to return to work.

Teressa Conley, the chief operating officer, said the three employees who designed the drill had the "best intentions" but did not think things through. At least two are no longer working there.