Re: Pennsylvania, USA, Hospital Shuts Off Water after E. Coli Found
The article above continues with (indicating the E. coli found is not the German EHEC strain due to the timing):
http://www.wnep.com/wnep-wyo-hospital-shuts-off-water-after-e-coli-found-20110607,0,1954532.story
Tyler Memorial Hospital near Tunkhannock is taking measures to protect its patients after E. Coli was discovered in the well that supplies the hospital with water.
The discovery of E. Coli bacteria in its wells forced Tyler Memorial Hospital to operate very differently when it comes to using water.
Wyoming The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection started routine testing of Tyler Memorial Hospital's well water in September.
In March, April and May tests discovered unacceptable levels of E. Coli bacteria in some of the hospital's wells, forcing it to take action.
"If you bathe in that water it's going to get in your eyes, it could get into your mouth. It's just plain scary," said Lynn Kelly of Tunkhannock.
A Tyler Memorial spokesperson said no one at the 60-bed hospital bathed in contaminated water. Every sink, shower, even drinking fountains and coffee makers have been shut down.
Caregivers now use sanitary kits to wash and clean patients. The hospital brought in bottled water for drinking.
A hospital news release stresses "well water is treated to remove bacteria before it reaches the hospital for use," and that water samples "inside the hospital tested negative."
A hospital spokeswoman said administrators are confident no one has been sick or even come in contact with the bacteria.
Still, just the mention of E. Coli gives a jolt to people in Wyoming County just learning the news.
They wonder how hard it is for Tyler Memorial to operate without tap water.
"That's tough, cooking, cleaning,"s aid Roselea Smith of Tunkhannock.
"I think they're taking the precautions they need to, but it's, how long is it going to go on," asked Kelly.
Just after 6 p.m.
Tuesday Newswatch 16 heard from Tyler Memorial via email,
"(the hospital) received a preliminary report from an independent laboratory indicating samples taken this week from the well and inside the hospital tested negative for E. Coli."
Copyright ? 2011, WNEP-TV
wnep-wyo-hospital-shuts-off-water-after-e-coli-found-20110607