Update: Kaiser Closes ER Because of Broken Water Pipe

Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center late Tuesday closed its urgent care services and its emergency department, according to a statement from the hospital, because of a break in a water main on Sunday. Earlier in the week, the nonprofit hospital canceled surgeries and doctors’ appointments at its facility because of the water problem. Patients at the medical center, located at 5601 De Soto Ave., will be redirected to nearby hospitals for emergency care. Outpatient services will be closed by the end of Wednesday as well, hospital officials said. “Because the timeline for restoring water at the medical center campus is now estimated to be Saturday, Jan. 25, we have determined that the safest decision for our members, patients, physicians and staff is to temporarily close services and facilities at this location,” the hospital said in a statement. “We are working closely with state and local agencies to achieve this temporary closure.” The medical center’s 24-hour pharmacy will remain open for prescription pickup only; the Northside Pharmacy is temporarily closed. The pipe break happened after a planned water line shutdown, according to a statement from the hospital, which added that the facility didn’t have running water. Related Story: Broken Water Pipe Cancels Surgeries at Kaiser Hospital