Flood waters were too much for city systems to handle last night in Corner Brook sending water into the basement of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.
Temporary measures to divert water and sewer from the hospital were unable to handle the capacity of the flow due to the increase in rainfall in the early hours of June 24. Areas affected by the flooding include laboratory, pharmacy and SPD.
Staff has been cleaning up these areas, assessing and repairing the damage.
Laboratory services were unavailable to the public this morning but blood collection resumed later int he day at an alternate location within the building.
Some pharmaceuticals and supplies have been damaged. An issue had occurred with the sterilization of the chemotherapy preparation area because it requires a sterile environment. Chemotherapy for 10 patients had to be temporarily delayed. Six patients began their treatment later this morning and four patients have been rescheduled to start their treatment tomorrow morning.
In SPD, some supplies have been water damaged. Assessments are underway with Infection Control as to which supplies need to be re-sterilized or potentially replaced.
The Operating Rooms at Western Memorial Regional Hospital has had minimal impact. The sterile equipment and supplies for today's cases were already in place and no procedures were cancelled for today. Procedures for tomorrow are being assessed.
Currently, the flood water has receded. Environmental Services are in the process of final cleaning and disinfecting the affected areas.
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