Special sensors in washrooms at select Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) branches can help save lives and support staff, library users and communities by monitoring for medical emergencies, including toxic drug poisonings.
In December 2023, 10 motion detection sensors were activated in washroom stalls at the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch, which was considered an at-risk VIRL branch. Based on the success of this pilot, additional sensors have been installed at other VIRL branches including Courtenay, Campbell River and Port Hardy.
This project, called Brave Branches, received $50,000 in funding from Island Health. That initiative offers grants for projects that focus on improving mental well-being, building youth resilience and mitigating harms associated with the unregulated drug supply.
“Communities across Vancouver Island are deeply affected by the toxic drug crisis,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Libraries face unique challenges as they strive to be safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. With these new sensors, medical emergencies can be identified and responded to promptly. This innovative approach saves lives and ensures that individuals receive the care they need, exactly when they need it.”
The sensors monitor how long a person has occupied a washroom and whether they are moving – or not. If an occupant has not moved for a set amount of time, a notification will be sent via text to designated responders, including security guards and library staff.
“The sensor is not looking for movement – it’s looking for lack of movement,” says VIRL’s divisional manager Jason McConnell.
McConnell says libraries are uniquely positioned during this ongoing drug crisis, declared a public health emergency in B.C. more than eight years ago. As the crisis has grown, so too have the pressures on libraries and staff.
“We’re seeing upticks in the types of hazards and risks that we’re being exposed to. We’re seeing more frequent events,” added McConnell.
To this day, there have not yet been any interventions for toxic drug poisonings due to sensor alerts at the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch.
VIRL’s assistant director Emily Mathews says the Harbourfront team is “incredibly happy” with the sensor installation.
“It has made staff monitoring of our public washrooms much simpler, safer and more effective since we can rely on automatic alerts instead of tracking entries and exits, which is much more difficult,” Mathews said.
Last year, Island Health announced similar sensor trials taking place at washrooms at some of its sites, including Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and the Comox Valley Nursing Centre and Mental Health and Substance use sites in Courtenay.
From August to December 2023, there were 407 washroom checks at those sites based on sensor alerts. Five significant events occurred, which resulted in staff responding to patients in distress.