Slowdown at the Emergency Department of the Dr. Georges L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre

Moncton, November 8, 2013 – The management of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton wishes to inform the public that there currently is a slowdown at the Emergency Department.

A patient came to the Emergency Department on Wednesday, November 6. During the examination, the medical staff detected the presence of insects on the patient Following this, a pest control company was called to the site and confirmed that the insects were bedbugs.

“A dog handler and specialized sniffer dogs were called in to clearly identify the bedbugs and affected areas. Examination rooms and an area in the waiting room of the Emergency Department were identified as affected areas,” said Richard Losier, Chief operating Officer for the Beauséjour Zone. “These areas were isolated, the waiting room was treated, and examination rooms are being treated,” added Mr. Losier. No other areas in the facility were affected.

“There may be a slowdown at the Emergency Department until such time as the treatment of examination rooms is completed. After treatment, a 24-hour delay is recommended before affected areas can be used again. The situation should return to normal by Saturday, November 9, in the early evening,” said Mr. Losier. Although they are pest insects, bedbugs do not constitute a health risk to people.

The management of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre apologizes for any inconvenience.