Reaching the point of opening a new hospital in downtown Utica was not without obstacles, and its opening hasn't been completely smooth.

The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) said they are diverting all trauma and major surgeries following an air-quality test on the second floor that "did not meet expectations."

The floor houses the operating rooms and cardiac cath labs. Patients in those cases are being diverted to other hospitals.


What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Health says four ambulances have been sent to the Mohawk Valley to help provide support to its 911 system

  • They’re there through Nov. 7

  • This comes after the Mohawk Valley Health System said their new Wynn Hospital’s air-handling systems on the second floor did not meet expectations during a final test

The Wynn Hospital meant the closure of the St. Elizabeth's and St. Luke's medical campuses in Utica. MVHS said the majority of equipment and services had already moved from those two hospitals to the Wynn.

With that in mind, MVHS said they and the state Department of Health decided the move to the Wynn should continue.

MVHS said two trauma rooms and two C-section rooms on other floors could be used for emergency surgeries.

The Mohawk Valley Health System President and CEO Darlene Stromstad said on Oct. 28, the day before the hospital opened, “Unfortunately, the air-handling system could only be tested once all areas were completely finished and closed off, which is why it wasn’t discovered until this week. When you identify patient safety as your priority, the decision is easy. We will divert.”

The state Department of Health confirmed four ambulances were sent to the area to provide support to its 911 system. It said the Wynn Hospital "instituted an ambulance diversion for trauma cases, advanced endoscopy, stroke cases requiring interventional radiology, and cardiac surgery and cardiac catheterizations."

The DOH said the ambulance agencies chosen are from more than 50 miles away from the affected area. They will be present through Nov. 7.

MVHS said the air should be tested again this weekend, and the floor is expected to open Monday.

They anticipate the change will impact 25 potential patients, and said diversion plans are in place with local EMS providers and regional medical centers.

A representative from the DOH said, "The Department continues to closely monitor the situation and remains in constant communication with hospital and county emergency management systems."