Holding back the flood

Environmental Services keeps Royal Alex running during Edmonton storm

Story by Gayleen Froese | Photo by Evan Isbister

EDMONTON — Not all heroes wear stethoscopes in Alberta Health Services (AHS) facilities. Every day, throughout each site, teams from Linen and Environmental Services keep busy to ensure that healthcare happens in a safe and clean environment. It’s a demanding job on a typical day, and even more challenging when a facility faces the unexpected.

This past July, a severe thunderstorm led to unwanted water inside Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital. Environmental Services quickly arrived to assess the situation.

Flood socks — lightweight, flexible, tubular barriers filled with super-absorbent materials that swell and gel upon contact with water to block or redirect flow — were put into place to send water toward drains and safe collection points. Staff also used wet vacuums to pull water from hard-to-reach places, and containers to control active leaks. As well, supplies and equipment were moved to safer, drier locations.

Rayan Chakraborty, a manager with Environmental Services who attended the Royal Alex during the storm, says he was impressed by the team’s collaborative approach.

“Throughout the response, staff remained calm, positive and solution-focused. They consistently supported one another, shared knowledge and ideas, communicated effectively, and stepped into unfamiliar areas to assist wherever help was needed.”

The work didn’t end when the rain stopped. Environmental Services stayed on the job, cleaning and sanitizing affected areas, so they could be returned to service.

Abbey Shears, Interim Senior Operating Officer at Royal Alexandra Hospital, says she’s grateful for the work of the Environmental Services team.

“Patient care is the reason we’re all here and our support teams do so much to help ensure we can provide that care. Because of the amazing work of our Environmental Services team, there were no negative impacts to patient care as a result of the storm.”

No matter what the weather brings, Environmental Services meet it with teamwork and professionalism, keeping facilities open, clean and ready for patients and staff.