Many Area Hospitals on Backup Generators As Storm Cuts Power Lines
By Robin Culverwell and Ian Bush
PAOLI, Pa. (CBS) -- How are Delaware Valley hospitals faring amid the storm?
Several in the area have lost their main electricity service and were running on backup power. Two of them are Paoli Hospital and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, in Chester County.
"We are prepared -- our generators will run for several days, and we have backup generators available," says Bridget Therriault, a spokeswoman for Main Line Health. "Our teams plan for these situations year round, so they spring into action. And patient and employee safety remain a top priority."
She says Paoli Hospital remains open for emergencies, and in-patient care continues as usual.
The same at Abington Memorial Hospital, in Montgomery County, which was also on generator power today. All elective outpatient procedures, tests, and clinic visits were canceled at that hospital.
Brandywine Hospital, in Coatesville (Chester County), Pa., had backup power keeping the lights on and the machines running for patients there.
Some staff members at Doylestown Hospital, in Bucks County, spent the night there to avoid travel issues this morning. The facility had been on generator power for several hours, but a spokeswoman says everything is back to normal as of noontime today.