A hospital in Pensacola, Fla., was forced to close a suite of operating rooms July 8 because of a sudden infestation of flying ants.
According to Gannett News Service, cleaning crews at Sacred Heart Hospital discovered the insects late on July 7 and informed hospital officials who then made the decision to shut down the operating rooms.
The hospital's pest control company was called to treat the rooms and eliminate the insects. The operating rooms were up and running again by the morning of July 9.
Hospital spokesman, Mike Burke, reportedly said 15 surgeries had to be canceled and rescheduled.
Heavy rain is believed to be a contributing factor to the infestation, as it saturates the ants’ subterranean nests causing them to swarm, the article says.
Hospital maintenance staff is searching for a point of entry and patching cracks and caulking windows, according to the article.
Barriers to Infection: Rethinking Mattress Cleaning
Over 1 Million Individuals Affected in Community Health Center Data Breach
Prospect Medical Holdings to Sell Crozer Health to Non-Profit Consortium
The Top States for Pest Infestations
Ground Broken on Wichita Biomedical Campus Project