Authorities evacuated 21 patients from Swedish Hospital at Mill Creek after a “suspicious device” was found inside the building.
Law enforcement and bomb squad personnel responded to the hospital to investigate the device. The evacuation was conducted as a precautionary measure while authorities assessed the potential threat.
The nature of the suspicious device and its location within the hospital were not immediately disclosed. Authorities did not provide details on whether the device was determined to be an actual threat or deemed harmless.
Hospital staff coordinated the patient evacuation with emergency responders to ensure safe transfer of individuals requiring medical care. The condition and acuity level of the 21 evacuated patients were not immediately available.
The incident disrupted normal hospital operations, though it was unclear whether emergency room services or other departments were affected during the evacuation and investigation.
Swedish Hospital Mill Creek is part of the Swedish Medical Center system, serving Snohomish County communities including Mill Creek, Everett, and surrounding areas. The facility provides emergency services, surgery, and other medical care.
Suspicious device reports at hospitals create unique challenges due to the presence of patients who cannot be easily moved, particularly those in intensive care, on life support, or recovering from surgery. Evacuation decisions must balance security concerns with patient safety and medical needs.
Bomb threats and suspicious packages at medical facilities, while often hoaxes, require full emergency response protocols given the vulnerability of patient populations and the potential for mass casualties in healthcare settings.
The Mill Creek location’s proximity to residential areas means evacuations can also affect nearby neighborhoods if authorities establish security perimeters around the facility during investigations.
