Durham Reporter

Duke University Hospital has resumed accepting all EMS traffic in its Emergency Department after a temporary diversion due to flooding. The hospital expressed gratitude to local emergency medical services and neighboring hospitals for their support during the recovery process.

Efforts have been ongoing since December 26, when a chilled water pipe burst, causing significant flooding. The hospital's teams have worked continuously to restore essential services. Currently, the front entrance, waiting room, and 16 beds of the Emergency Department are operational. Additional clinical units are being used for patients arriving by other means, covering most of the department's usual capacity of 76 spaces.

Although ambulance traffic remains on divert, Duke University Hospital plans to open up to some ambulance traffic soon. The facility continues to accept transfer patients from other hospitals requiring inpatient care and has admitted over 100 such patients in recent days. Surgical procedures continue as scheduled.

Radiology areas adjacent to the affected zone experienced substantial damage; thus, imaging services have been relocated within the hospital system with priority given to acute care patients.

Hospital officials emphasized that patient safety is paramount and praised their teams' efforts in restoring access to necessary services following this unusual event. They also thanked neighboring hospitals for assisting during this period.

In addressing concerns about discolored floodwater from the incident on December 26, it was clarified that the ruptured pipe carried treated chilled water used for heating and cooling—not drinking water—thus ensuring safety despite debris carried by the floodwater.

The flooding mainly impacted areas near the Emergency Department on the first floor without affecting inpatient units or surgical suites located elsewhere in the building. Patients arriving independently at the ED are currently being managed in alternative locations within Duke University Hospital as additional beds reopen progressively.

While ambulance service remains diverted temporarily, resumption is anticipated shortly with continued collaboration from EMS partners and local healthcare facilities ensuring community access to urgent medical care throughout this recovery phase.