Hospital flooded from interior pipes
HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — Walls and floors are drying out at Hardin Medical Center after pipes in the ceiling leaked water onto three levels of the hospital. “A union where a couple of pipes were put together, a two-inch into a four-inch came apart, and that’s what started the leak,” said Nick Lewis, CEO of Hardin Medical Center. Officials said the leak was first noticed around 7:30 p.m. Friday in the OB unit, which is on the third floor. Lewis said the nurses grabbed sheets and pillows to try and soak up the water. Despite their efforts, the water from the leak made it down to the first floor onto the pharmacy level. Although the flood waters caused quite a scare Friday night, Lewis says the good news is the hospital never had to close its doors, and all patients were safe. “No services were interrupted or had to be stopped,” Lewis said. “We did have to move some patients around so we can make them secure out of those areas. Now it’s just a process of drying those rooms and getting some repairs done.” Lewis told WBBJ the hospital was fortunate enough to have no damage to any major medical machinery, just a few computers and some basic electronic equipment. They mainly are replacing some of the sheet rock on portions of the wall, along with flooring and cabinets. Lewis said the cleanup has been a smooth process because of his employees. There is no estimate on how much the damage will cost.
