Some "minor flooding" at Mercy Hospital Tuesday night caused several patients in the affected area to be moved to other rooms after a sprinkler head broke in the East Tower of the hospital, according to a statement from Allina Health. There was no harm to any patients or staff, Allina said.
Gloria O'Connell, a spokeswoman for Allina, said the water leaked from the fifth floor through to the second floor of the building.
"It caused some flooding, minor flooding," she said.
The water damaged mostly several patient care units, and some areas may take several days to clean up, she said.
Twenty people who were being seen at the Emergency Department were moved to other area hospitals: United in St. Paul, Hennepin County Medical Center, Unity Hospital in Fridley, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and Cambridge Medical Center in Cambridge.
The sprinkler damage was caused by an individual "tampering" with the sprinkler head, according to a statement from Allina Health. The estimated damage costs are still being assessed.
Mercy Hospital is open. Procedures and surgeries are scheduled as planned, O'Connell said.
Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647
