Livingston Hospital Diverts Ambulances After Water Main Break: UPDATED

Editor's Note: Read our latest update to this article here.

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A water main break threw a monkey wrench into the operations at a hospital in Livingston on Thursday, with administrators ordering the diversion of ambulances to other nearby facilities.

According to a statement from Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, the water main break happened in the morning hours outside of the hospital.

Cooperman Barnabas remains open, but there are some partial impacts to operations, including postponement or cancellation of surgical procedures and some outpatient services.

The emergency department is currently open, but diverting ambulances to other facilities, administrators reported at 9 a.m.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE

A spokesperson for RWJBarnabas Health provided an update about the situation at 2:30 p.m.:

"At Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, the safety of patients and team members is paramount. At this time, the hospital remains open. All non-emergent surgeries and some outpatient services are being postponed. The emergency department remains open for patient walk-ins, but, out of an abundance of caution, is diverting ambulances to other facilities, with the exception of burn patients, who will continue to be treated. Water main repairs are currently underway. In the meantime, our team continues to safely provide care and support to all patients."

"The hospital is closely monitoring the situation and working with Livingston Township, Essex County and Department of Health, to ensure the continued safety and care of all patients and employees," they added. "We thank you for your patience as we manage this ongoing situation. We will provide further updates throughout the day."

UPDATE #3

Another updated was provided late Thursday afternoon. According to hospital administrators:

"As of 5 p.m. [Thursday], the water main break repairs remain ongoing. The hospital is open, however, non-emergent surgeries and some outpatient services will continue to be postponed overnight and through tomorrow. The emergency department will remain open for patient walk-ins."

"We’d also like to express our pride and gratitude to our team and our community partners for quickly responding and ensuring the safety and care of our patients and employees," RWJBarnabas Health spokespeople said.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide another update in the morning," administrators added.

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