Routine testing identifies trouble with emergency power at CRH

LETHBRIDGE, AB - Chinook Health will have to re-schedule 37 surgeries at Chinook Regional Hospital after a routine test of the emergency back-up power system failed.

The regular monthly test of the emergency generators at Chinook Regional Hospital was conducted today at 6:00 a.m. which revealed mechanical difficulties with the system. Further testing has been completed today and all systems are now functioning normally.

"We're fortunate to have discovered the problems during our testing procedures which are scheduled during non-peak hours," says Grant Walker, Vice President, Alberta Health Services - Chinook Health.

Due to the issues with the power system, all elective surgeries were cancelled and subsequent testing was completed while the operating rooms were empty.

"In a situation like this we have to put the safety of our patients first. Without sufficient emergency back-up power we were not comfortable proceeding with surgeries until the issue was resolved," says Walker.

All normal power distribution systems at the hospital were fully functioning at all timesand the power issues only interrupted the emergency back-up power system.

"We understand that this has caused difficulty for some of our patients and we are very sorry for this. Our team worked very hard to ensure our systems were up and running with as little interruption to operations as possible," says Walker.

All regularly booked surgeries will continue Thursday and those whose procedures were cancelled are asked to contact their physician to re-schedule.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Tara Grindle
Corporate Communications
Alberta Health Services - Chinook Health
Phone: 403-388-6533
Cell: 403 894-6655

Pamela Dunn
Corporate Communications
Alberta Health Services - Chinook Health
Phone: 403-388-6002
Cell: 403-331-7590