MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Surgical Cancellations at Brantford General Hospital (Brantford, April 30, 2015) Shortly after noon on Thursday April 30, 2015 the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) experienced difficulty with the power in D Wing. All electrical services were affected, including the standby power system. The problem was quickly identified as a major motor on one of the cooling towers on the roof and the electrical system was restored by 1:30pm. In addition to the electrical system, the cooling system was also affected. While the air exchange and humidity levels remained safe for all patients and staff, the ambient temperature of the building was deemed too high to complete thirteen scheduled surgeries. “We apologize to these patients for the inconvenience but felt that the uncontrolled temperature was a risk to patients and staff,” says Penny Lipscik, Value Stream Group Leader for Planned Care. “These patients will be rescheduled by their surgeon’s offices.” “The OR is currently doing emergency cases only, and humidity and air exchange remain within normal parameters,” adds Lipscik. “Maintenance feels we should experience a drop in OR temperature as outside temperatures decrease this evening.” “We are currently cooling without the chillers and we will be in good shape overnight and until tomorrow afternoon when the outside temperature exceeds 16°C again,” says Gordon Bartlett, Value Stream Group Leader for Facilities and Maintenance. “We expect to have a temporary solution in place before the chillers are required again.” Should further surgeries be affected we will communicate directly with those patients at that time. Questions and concerns can be directed to 519-751-5558 or communications@bchsys.org. - 30 Jennifer Slawek, Communications Coordinator Engagement & Community Partnerships Brant Community Healthcare System 519-751-5544, ext. 2472 jennifer.slawek@bchsys.org Wendy Stewart, Communications Specialist Engagement & Community Partnerships Brant Community Healthcare System 519-751-5544, ext. 2248 wendy.stewart@bchsys.org About The Brant Community Healthcare System The Brant Community Healthcare System is a fully accredited, award-winning health-care organization and an affiliated teaching site of the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Brantford General is a regional acute care health centre and the Willett, Paris provides urgent and ambulatory care.