The Emily Bissell Hospital in Wilmington is transporting its residents into other nursing homes, due to a malfunctioning hot water system.
The hot water system at Emily Bissell has been on the fritz for months, but the issues previously were resolved in a day or so, according to hospital director John Oppenheimer. Then, on February 6, one of the three boilers that had been supplying hot water to the hospital completely failed.
“Unfortunately a few weeks ago, we lost one of the hot water tanks and then we had to transfer to different tanks and that made the system more vulnerable,” said Oppenheimer.
A temporary hot water system now provides hot water to the facility. DHSS facilities managers said that it could take as long as six months to replace the failed hot water system, according to a press release.
The residents are being transported to several facilities including the state-run Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City and the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna. In addition, some will be placed in private nursing homes and throughout the community. All 48 residents are expected to be moved by the end of March.
Oppenheimer said the hospital is communicating with the patients’ families to determine what facilities the residents will move into next, especially those with special needs.
“Some residents might need to have psychological or behavioral support,” said Oppenheimer. “We have other residents who are bariatric, who weigh over 350 pounds and need special equipment and et cetera. We have to make sure that the other facility has that kind of capability.“
Bissell's staff will accompany residents to their new homes to assist in their transition, and some will be employed at those facilities to help with the increased workload. A long term solution for the hospital is still in the works and it is uncertain if all residents will be able to return.