Operating rooms flooded at Montreal’s Lakeshore General Hospital

The operating room department at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire on Montreal’s West Island was flooded.

The operating room department at Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire, on Montreal’s West Island, flooded early Friday morning.

Videos sent to CTV News show the ceilings caving in as hospital workers try to improve the situation.

“Our initial information indicates that the cause of the incident is related to frozen heating coils,” explains Hélène Bergeron-Gamache, a senior communications advisor with the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre).

“The situation was quickly brought under control and handled by our teams.”

Bergeron-Gamache confirms that 10 elective surgeries were postponed due to the flooding, and one outpatient room was closed as a precaution.

“The patients affected are being contacted directly to reschedule their surgeries as soon as possible,” she said. “Emergency surgeries are continuing as planned.”

She states that no appointments have been cancelled and “activities are continuing.”

A service corridor has been established with both the Saint Mary’s and LaSalle hospitals, she adds.

“Two of the six operating rooms are temporarily out of service due to the work required, although they were not directly affected by the water,” Bergeron-Gamache notes.

An analysis of the situation is underway, according to the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, and a firm has been hired to assess moisture.

“The safety of users and staff remains our top priority,” it insists. “We will wait for the results of the technical assessments before considering a full resumption of activities in the operating room department. We hope to return to normal as soon as possible.”