Failed Transformer Causes Texas Hospital Power Outage

Feb. 28--GREENVILLE -- Routine maintenance on a GEUS transformer resulted in a power failure Wednesday morning for the Hunt Regional Medical Center of Greenville.

The hospital implemented a code yellow disaster plan and diverted emergency patients to other facilities, although inpatient care was not affected by the power outage thanks to the hospital's emergency generators.

"A 3000 KVA transformer failed and (GEUS) had a spare, new transformer in the yard, so they were able to install that new transformer," GEUS Consumer Services Manager Jimmy Dickey said. "They 'made it hot' about noon Wednesday. The transformer that failed has been sent to a shop to determine the cause of the failure."

The planned transformer maintenance upgrade began at 8 a.m., and power was returned by noon. According to a statement from the hospital, some elevators, the public cafeteria and some outpatient services were most affected by the outage.

Ambulance services transported patients to other facilities, and the hospital encouraged patients requiring minor emergency care to seek treatment at Hunt Regional Community Hospital in Commerce, Quick Plus Care in Greenville or the nearest emergency room.

According to hospital spokesperson Susan Spoonemore, the hospital frequently runs emergency drills so they can respond quickly in scenarios like the one they experienced Wednesday.

Copyright 2013 - The Herald Banner, Greenville, Texas