Weyburn hospital evacuated due to gas leak: SHA

The Weyburn General Hospital had to be evacuated on Friday.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority initially said a reported gas leak was the cause of the incident.

Weyburn fire chief Trent Lee, however, said the cause was a patient coming into the hospital with crude oil contaminating their clothing.

“That odour was distributed throughout the hospital by the HVAC system, so that clothing was bagged and tagged and removed from the building,” Lee said. “Crews stayed on scene to assist with ventilation to try and get rid of the smell from the hospital.

“Crude oil does contain H2S – which is hydrogen sulfide – and that can be a very noxious, toxic gas as well. It does have a pungent odour that can irritate a lot of people.”

A total of 22 patients were removed from the hospital and sent to local care homes, with paramedics on standby for support. All staff members were required to leave the building as well.

Lee said crews were dispatched around 11:30 a.m. for a report of a gas leak.

“With the assistance of SaskEnergy, they went through the building with different types of gas detection and monitors to determine what the cause and origin of this odour was,” Lee said. “In the meantime, it was decided patients and staff would be evacuated because it wouldn’t be a quick and easy diagnosis of the situation.”

In a release, the health authority said patient safety is always its top priority, and noted it is working with the Weyburn police and fire departments and SaskEnergy to manage the situation.

Lee said it would be up to the SHA to determine when the hospital would re-open.

In another release sent out later that evening, the SHA said services at the hospital would remain disrupted, including Emergency Department services.

Anyone in the area in need of urgent or emergency care was advised to call 911 or travel to the closest hospital outside of Weyburn.

“During an extensive investigation into a reported gas leak at Weyburn General Hospital, it was been determined that a gas leak did not occur. While a gas leak has been ruled out, a strong chemical odour was observed throughout the building,” the statement read.

“Initial investigations indicate that the strong chemical odour was brought in on the clothing of a patient seeking treatment at the facility. The SHA will be continuing this investigation with the assistance of the Weyburn Fire Department to rule out any other possible sources of the chemical odour.19 patients remain evacuated at local care homes and will be accommodated in place overnight at these facilities while investigations into the cause of the chemical odour continue. Other patients have been discharged or arranged alternate care plans in the community.”

The SHA said it will provide ongoing updates and will notify the public when servies continue at Weyburn General Hospital.