(Oneida, NY – July 7, 2015) Oneida Healthcare was dealing with a malfunction of the hospital’s cooling system this afternoon. Earlier in the day, a water pipe broke and took out the motor for the building’s main chiller unit. Hospital spokesman Mike Healy explained that, as standard operating procedure, an “internal disaster” was called, bringing all affected departments together to assess the situation and how best to quickly address the many considerations.
“All scheduled OR and Maternity procedures are canceled until further notice and potential emergency surgery cases will be diverted on a case by case basis. Of course, in life-threatening situations, we’ll perform a risk assessment to determine what’s in the patient’s and/or baby’s best interest,” Healy said.
Extra fans have been brought in for patient rooms and waiting areas and standby bottled water supplies will be distributed, as needed. The nursing home and dietary services area are on a separate chiller unit and are not affected. Patients with a non-emergency situation are encouraged to use the hospital’s Quick Care service, which is open until 9 p.m. at 357 Genesee St. in Oneida.
Healy said that a replacement motor has been located and is being overnighted from Indiana but the chiller isn’t expected to be back online until late Thursday, at the earliest.
“We prepare for these kinds of situations as well as anyone can but we’re certainly glad that the temperature and humidity are expected to drop overnight,” he added.