Paint fumes coming from the Lot 2 (Green) visitor parking structure adjacent to the Durham Outpatient Center (DOC) caused the evacuation of the DOC and Lot 2 Tuesday morning. As of 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the Omaha Fire Department determined that the building and parking structure were safe to re-enter.
“There’s nothing like an unplanned event to see how strong your organization is,” said Nebraska Medicine CEO Dan DeBehnke, M.D. “Today was a challenge, but I want to send my thanks and congratulations to all involved.”
As a result of the evacuation, all DOC appointments were cancelled and surgeries in University Tower and Hixson-Hied ORs were delayed. Many patients were taken from the DOC to the Durham Research Center. Clinic schedulers worked to re-schedule appointments for patients who were impacted by the closure. Clinic personnel were as accommodating as possible for those coming in from out of town.
“Cancelling dozens of appointments and surgeries is never part of the plan,” Dr. DeBehnke said. “But when unexpected things happen, we rise to the challenge. None of it was easy, but it was the right thing to do and no one hesitated.”