Safety

Widespread water main breaks test a MS hospital

Hospital Safety Insider, January 13, 2010

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At least one hospital in Jackson, MS, was forced to institute emergency water plans after freezing temperatures caused more than 120 water main breaks in the city this week.
 
Water pressure dropped at Baptist Medical Center, leading to the following situations as noted by the facility in a press release:
  • Firefighters delivered water to the hospital and workers brought bottled water to patients.
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson helped Baptist by laundering its linens and sterilizing instruments
  • Elective surgeries were cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday 
City officials have given areas around medical facilities priority for water main repairs, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. told The Clairon-Ledger of Jackson.
 
The situation clearly illustrates some of The Joint Commission’s emergency management requirements, including EM.02.02.01 (communicating with other hospitals during an emergency), EM.02.02.03 (sharing resources with other healthcare facilities), and EM.02.02.09 (identifying alternative ways to provide water).



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