Community Hospital North shuts down 6 operating rooms

Community Hospital North has suspended use of six operating rooms after finding discoloration on the ceiling tiles and walls in a nearby corridor area.

In a three-sentence statement, the hospital said Monday afternoon it had decided to voluntarily suspend the use of the operating rooms while it conducts air-quality tests, and until it determines that “any potential safety issue is resolved.” It was unclear how long that might take.

Kris Kirschner, a spokeswoman for owner Community Health Network, said the 312-bed hospital has four other operating rooms where surgeries can continue to take place. Surgery patients who will be impacted by the closed operating rooms will be given the option of rescheduling their surgeries or having them performed at another Community facility.

The network operates five other hospitals and numerous clinics in central Indiana.

Community said the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation identified the “potential issue” of tile discoloration during a routine survey.

“Community is committed to ensuring the safety of our patient and their families, our employees and other physicians,” the health system said in the statement.