Prairie North Health Region is reporting service disruption at Lloydminster Hospital after a major rain storm hit the city Friday evening.
The storm ended up knocking out the hospital’s fresh air supply and temperature control, forcing surgeries to be cancelled on Monday for 22 patients.
According to Derek Miller, the health region’s Vice President of Finance and Operations, the problems happened when the hospital’s storm drains were backed up by the amount of rain that fell.
The hospital’s main air supply lines and some duct work ended up being flooded. Most of the damage was in the basement and the crawl space, according to Prairie North.
As a result, Lloydminster Hospital has been functioning without heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems since Friday night. These are all crucial for surgeries to be performed.
“Hospital personnel have been working through the weekend to determine the extent of the problem and the damage caused by the deluge of rain. Crews have been on site since after the storm pumping out the water. From one duct alone, 2,500 gallons of water was pumped out,” Miller said.
“Once all of the water is removed, the clean-up, drying, and testing is likely to take the rest of this week.” Miller continued. “The system will have to meet infection control guidelines before it can be returned to operation.”
“Fortunately, the Operating Room HVAC system is separate from the rest of the hospital’s system with the exception of its air supply. We are working to install a temporary fresh air supply duct to the OR system in order to resume surgical services as soon as possible,” said Miller.
Prairie North is reporting that the impact is being particularly seen for labour and delivery services for expectant mothers who may require Caesarian sections (C-sections). Endoscopic procedures have also been cancelled, and ambulance services have been instructed to bypass Lloydminster Hospital for patients needing surgical services.
All other patient services continue as usual but the health region is saying that patients, visitors and staff at Lloydminster Hospital may find the facility uncomfortable without air conditioning and a constant exchange of fresh air. Fans and air scrubbers are in operation throughout the building. It is not yet known when the hospital will be back to normal operation.
