Ohio hospital evacuated after chemical mix-up

A gallon of muratic acid was poured into a barrel of chlorine by an employee working in a pool area

By Healthcare Facilities Today


A mistake made by maintenance personnel led to the evacuation recently of HealthLink clients and patients at Memorial Hospital Herbert-Perna Center in Fremont, Ohio.

A gallon of muratic acid was poured into a barrel of chlorine by an employee working in a pool area, according to an article on The News-Messenger website. The chemical reaction created a gas that filled the area.

When the fire department arrived, HealthLink clients and patients at Herbert-Perna Center already were evacuated. Firefighters moved the barrel outside and began ventilation with electric fans, the article said.

Herbert-Perna Center was closed for the rest of the day and reopened the next morning. Andrew Smith, Memorial Hospital’s marketing manager, said the hospital will work closely with the fire department to prevent future issues.

“We want to take a critical look at what we did well as a team, what the gaps are and what we can do better,” Karla Falls, the vice president of ancillary and professional services, said in the article.

Read the article.

 



March 11, 2014


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

All Eyes on Gen Z as They Enter the Workforce

As the labor gap widens in the facilities industry, not many managers trust Gen Z to fill that hole.


Cleveland Clinic Starts Fundraising Effort for New Hospital in West Palm Beach

Plans for the new hospital include approximately 150 inpatient beds, an emergency department, a medical office building and an ambulatory surgery center.


Cultivating a Workforce in the Face of Skilled Trade Shortages

Facilities managers must make concerted efforts to attract skilled trade workers to their facilities and retain them long term.


Prime Healthcare Acquires 8 Ascension Hospitals in Illinois

They also acquired a number of other facilities in this acquisition.


Charging Ahead: Incentives Driving EV Charging in Healthcare Facilities

Manufacturers discuss how incentives impact the decision-making process.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.