Tampa Hospital’s Patients Relocated After Mold Growth Discovered in Building

In Tampa, Fla., the discovery of mold in the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Center prompted hospital officials to relocate approximately half a dozen patients.

According to an August 1 Tampa Tribune article, mold was first discovered growing near the patient care area in March after a pipe burst. In May, the Spinal Cord Injury Center’s patients were moved to a different part of the hospital.

Repair work and mold removal began on May 28 and is anticipated to be finished by mid-August, the Tampa Tribune reports.

The Tampa Tribune article states that on March 21, a half-inch hot water line burst in the newly-built polytrauma center for veterans. Water flowed from the burst pipe throughout parts of the center’s first floor.

“Mold growth will occur anytime moisture is left unattended to. You can find signs visually by checking the foundation of building as well as using tools that professionals have access to.,” says Austin Werner, Owner at The Real Seal LLC. “The smell of moisture in a building is also a dead giveaway – it usually smells like a musty smell, this will eventually lead to mold growth. Different types of mold can be damaging to health, those with allergies are particularly sensitive.”

According to the Tampa Tribune, the Spinal Cord Injury Center’s patients will be moved back to their prior places once hospital officials can prove there is no more microbial growth present.

The relocation has been hard on patients — one of whom, Rick Ballou, who served in the Navy from 1966 to 1969, complained to U.S. Rep. Richard Nugent of the difficulties he has been experiencing.

“SCI Ward B was shut down on Wednesday July 9, 2014 and all patients were moved into the main hospital in the middle of the night; I know this because I traveled by it every day in my wheelchair,” Ballou, 66, wrote, according to the Tampa Tribune.