Hospital evacuates patients because of oil leak

For the second time in as many years, patients at Attawapiskat hospital have had to be emergency airlifted to other facilities.

On Nov. 30, senior management with Weeneebayko Health Authority, which operates Attawapiskat hospital, were notified of an oil leak caused by a cracked pipe running to the furnace from the oil pump. The initial estimate was that 1,000 to 2,000 litres of oil leaked, says WHA acting CEO Robert Adolph.

On Dec. 5, Adolph was still awaiting the engineering report from the contractor, who was sent immediately to the site from North Bay, and accompanied by internal WHA head office staff from engineering.

“I have no timeline and I don’t have the full extent of the spill,” said Adolph.  Why the pipe cracked is not yet known either.

The 10 inpatients at Attawapiskat hospital were airlifted to hospitals in Fort Albany and Moose Factory on Dec. 1. Based on available beds, four were placed in Fort Albany and the remainder went to Moose Factory. It is not yet known how long they will be away from home. Attawapiskat hospital has 15 acute care beds.

A temporary health centre and emergency room were established at the Attawapiskat ambulance base, which is serviced by the James Bay ambulance. Work was underway to relocate the health and ER services to the community’s health care centre, which is not connected to the hospital.

The Attawapiskat hospital is not closed, with operational support staff and security staff still on site to assist the contractor in assessing the damage.

“We’re obviously not accepting any more patients right now,” said Adolph.

Patients requiring in-hospital care will continue to be air-transported to other WHA facilities, he says.

Adolph lauds the efficient work undertaken by staff at Attawapiskat hospital and the ambulance crew and the support that has been received from the community.

“They made a really special effort in this unusual circumstance,” he said. Adoph notes the situation has been discussed with Attawapiskat First Nation.

Health Canada has been notified of the situation, says Adolph.

In spring 2013, Attawapiskat hospital, along with houses in the community, suffered sewer backup and flooding. At that time, 10 patients had to be airlifted to outside facilities.

Attawapiskat hospital is served by rotating physician visits. It provides basic surgical and pediatric care along with offering prenatal and obstetric care and assistance for rehabilitation patients.