A water main break early Saturday morning has disrupted operations at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General, leading to the diversion of ambulances and the cancellation of several outpatient appointments. The emergency department was forced to redirect ambulances due to the break on a 12-inch water line that occurred directly in front of the facility, Cleveland19 reported, and outpatient services for cardiac, radiation oncology, and radiology scheduled for that day at its downtown campus at 1 Akron General Avenue have been canceled, the City of Akron's statement also specified that repairs to the break, which happened at approximately 3:52 a.m., were underway and might take four to six more hours.
Despite the closure to general visitation, which allows for a few exceptions, all hospitalized patients at the facility are continuing to receive care, and the emergency department remains open for walk-in patients, according to FOX8. Akron General's health and wellness centers in Bath, Green, and Stow have kept their emergency departments operational throughout the ordeal.
Akron water crews were quick to respond to the scene, arriving soon after the break was reported, city officials informed Spectrum News 1, and are assisting with pumping water out of the affected facilities, in addition the main hospital building appears to be the sole structure suffering any impact with no other downtown buildings being affected and no boil advisory necessary due to ample pressure in the water system.
Joe Milicia, the Cleveland Clinic's Senior Director of Communications, assured the community that despite the main break affecting the front of the emergency room on the other side of the street, the essential care provided by the hospital remains steadfast. The city's contractor, Kenmore Construction, is actively carrying out the necessary excavation work in order to repair the water line and restore service.
