A public information officer for the City of Forney confirmed the smell — which caused patients and staff to feel nauseous — was hydrogen sulfide, a non-hazardous sewer gas. Once patients and staff members breathed fresh air outside, their symptoms vanished, according to the report.
Several patients from the emergency center were transferred to other local hospitals as a result of the evacuation. No patients or staff members were harmed in the potential hazmat situation.
The emergency center has not yet reopened. The hospital is currently allowing the building to air out.
InForney.com reports the facility will likely reopen after 5 p.m. Jan. 23.
More articles on patient flow:
Texas psychiatric hospital opts to close 1 week after regulators threatened to revoke its license
Umbrella mistaken for rifle causes lockdown at Washington hospital
Family calls for stricter patient-discharge regulations after son killed in hit and run post-discharge
