A blocked drain caused a sewage spill that flooded parts of the emergency department at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital, damaging some medical records but posing no risk to patients, according to hospital officials.
The spill occurred in a waiting room, a short stay ward, and a medical records office. A staff member got grey water in their eye while addressing the issue, but all affected areas were evacuated or cordoned off, ensuring patient safety.
Phil Robinson, the hospital's executive director of corporate services, said a specialist company was brought in to clean up and restore water-damaged records using gamma-ray treatment. Temporary files will be created for patients while records are sent interstate for restoration.
Robinson emphasized that infection control measures were implemented and that the only risk was from grey water contact, which was mitigated by cordoning off areas.
