A precarious situation unfolded at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha when a critically ill patient inadvertently set off a hazardous materials incident. As reported by KETV, healthcare authorities confirmed that the patient was in dire need of CPR due to a potential exposure to hazardous chemicals.
According to the Omaha Fire Department (OFD), an abrupt and powerful odor emerged, causing healthcare staff attending to the patient to experience physical discomfort and prompting the immediate deployment of a specialized HAZMAT response team.
When they arrived at the hospital, the HAZMAT personnel promptly took action by deactivating the ventilation system.
However, the perplexing odor had mysteriously dissipated, and no concrete evidence of chemicals or hazardous materials could be ascertained.
To exercise caution, approximately ten hospital staff members who believed they might have been exposed, along with the patient, were securely confined to a designated room during the incident.
Acting Assistant Chief Bill Bernard, who supervised the response effort, noted that, despite their exhaustive efforts, no traces of hazardous substances or chemicals were detected through the utilization of advanced monitoring equipment and tools.