Midland Hospital removes mold spores from offices

April 27, 2002

t_id=475621 & rfi=6

Hospital removes mold spores from offices

Shanna Sissom, Midland Reporter-Telegram April 25, 2002

MIDLAND, TEXAS (MRT) - Memorial Hospital administrators recently relocated

from their offices after 10 different mold spores were found there are

looking forward to returning to their workplace next week.

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Memorial Hospital administrators recently relocated from

their offices after 10 different mold spores were found there are looking

forward to returning to their workplace next week.

" We're anxious to get back home, " said 14-year employee Judy Overbeck,

administrative assistant to the president.

Ms. Overbeck was one of six people affected by the finding, who had to move

her office space from the main campus to the newly acquired west campus.

Hospital officials performed toxic mold tests after noticing some employees

developing unusual symptoms, such as minor upper respiratory problems.

Tests showed the mold was isolated to the administrative office, and was not

found elsewhere at the hospital.

" We had some leaks from plumbing in patient rooms directly above, and mold

grew up, " said Rick Yates, the hospital's director of engineering.

" We discovered spore counts were high and we knew we had a problem, " Yates

added.

The hospital hired specialized cleaning contractors at a cost of

approximately $39,000, money that came out of operating expense reserves.

While filing cabinets and other office apparatus were mostly left intact,

Ms. Overbeck said they were able to transfer computer files, which made the

situation manageable.

Once employees were settled into their temporary office home, administrators

decided to go ahead and do some maintenance and minor remodeling --

including paint, carpet and ceiling tile -- while the offices were vacant.

" Its hard to get those people out (of their offices), " Yates said. " So we

decided to get all that done right now. "

In severe cases, toxic mold can cause seizures and other severe symptoms.

" We caught it way before that, " Yates said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Overbeck and her colleagues are looking forward to returning

to their old, but improved environment. "

" Good things can come out of bad situations, " Ms. Overbeck said.

Recommended Posts