Colleton Medical Center resumes inpatient services after facility-wide loss of air conditioning

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Inpatient services have resumed at Colleton Medical Center after a facility-wide loss of air conditioning last weekend.

The hospital moved some of its patients to sister hospitals out of an abundance of caution after losing A/C service on Friday, according to the hospital.

Replacement units were brought in on Sunday and crews worked together with the HCA Healthcare network to cool, dehumidify, sanitize, and fully restock the facility to ensure the safety of patients, their families, and staff before returning to normal operations.

Hospital officials said imaging, respiratory, and lab services resumed operations Thursday morning. Inpatient services returned at noon. They also began bringing back patients who were moved to other facilities but still needed hospitalization.

Elective surgical procedures are expected to resume on Monday, July 22.

While most of the hospital was closed, the emergency department continued serving walk-in patients who needed immediate care.

Colleton County Fire Rescue assisted the hospital by bringing in multiple high-capacity fans. They also set up a mobile A/C unit outside to help cool the emergency department.

The agency provided three ambulances to help move patients to area facilities along with private ambulance providers and Dorchester County EMS.