State suspends nurse charged with voyeurism

He allegedly made secret bathroom videos at medical facility

Washington health officials suspended a Clark County nurse Thursday after allegations that he made secret bathroom videos in a Vancouver medical facility.

Matthew A. Long was a licensed practical nurse at Kaiser-Permanente’s Salmon Creek medical office.

Investigators say that on June 24, Long placed his cellular phone underneath the sink in a lockable one-person bathroom used by patients as well as employees.

Long, who was fired by Kaiser-Permanente, has been charged in Clark County Superior Court with one count of voyeurism, a felony.

According to the investigating officer, Long taped his cell phone under the sink and pointed it at the bathroom’s toilet.

Another employee who came in to use the bathroom saw the cell phone under the sink. She grabbed the phone and took it to the office, and an administrator called 911.

The arresting officer’s report noted that the cell phone was recording when Long placed it under the sink, capturing an image of his face.

“The recording also shows him sitting on the toilet himself, also capturing his face, to see if the camera would be capturing the correct angle,” the report continued.

Kaiser staff members identified Long, who was on duty at the time. Deputies questioned Long, and he said that it was his phone and that he had placed it in the bathroom, according to the report. The digital evidence unit examined the phone and reported finding additional videos that been taken in the bathroom.

In the state’s order of suspension, health officials described other actions by Long, saying he “also admitted to attempting to take pictures under women’s dresses on another occasion.”

Long made his first court appearance on July 29; on Aug. 2, prosecutors officially filed one count of attempted voyeurism, as well as one count of voyeurism. His trial was set for Oct. 18. Long posted bond and was released from the Clark County Jail on July 29.

The action by the Department of Health, called a summary suspension, means Long cannot practice or be employed as a nurse in Washington pending the outcome of a hearing. Long has 20 days to request a hearing.

The agency indicated that based on the allegations, Long committed unprofessional conduct. Allowing him to maintain his credentials “presents an immediate danger,” said the summary action order.

“As a nurse, (Long) has access to patients in private settings. He has displayed a willingness to take advantage of those private settings, it added.

Long received his Washington nursing license on July 10, 2007.

Long had worked for Kaiser for 13 months, spokesman Dave Northfield said. Long was immediately placed on leave after the sheriff’s office was contacted, and he was fired a week later.

Staff writer Laura McVicker contributed to this story.

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