Focus: Plumbing

Sewage leaks in operating rooms still an issue at D.C. hospital for VIPs

A black, grainy foul-smelling substance coated the floor of an operating room


Sewage leaks in operating rooms still plague MedStar Washington Hospital Center, D.C., a hospital for VIPs, according to an article on the USA Today website.

A black, grainy foul-smelling substance coated the floor of an operating room, which also suffered from at least one "active leak" of sewage, according to a review by the District of Columbia health department last August.

That health department report was cited in a lawsuit filed against the hospital by the husband of a woman who died from a post-operative infection after surgery at the hospital, where the operating rooms had suffered from leaks of bacteria-filled sewage for months, the article said.

Staff and contractors the hospital identified as being responsible for cleanup told investigators they were not made aware of a leak in an operating room where several patients were operated on last July, according to the health department report reviewed by USA TODAY. The sewage leaks were known as "black water" leaks, employees told the inspectors. 

Read the article.

 

 



April 11, 2018


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Designing Healthcare Facilities for Pediatric and Geriatric Populations

Understanding the nuanced needs of both age groups is essential to creating supportive multi-generational environments.


Kaiser Permanente Announces New Hospital Tower at Sunnyside Medical Center

It plans to open this new facility on the campus in 2029.


Building Disaster Resilience Through Collaboration

The ability to respond quickly and recover effectively depends on the strength of an organization’s external bonds.


Amae Health Expands to New York City

This expansion brings its integrated care model to serve individuals with complex mental health conditions.


Hospital for Special Surgery Opens Two New Facilities in New Jersey

The two facilities are a full-service outpatient center and a surgery center.


 
 


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.