No Running Water At Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center, Surgeries Canceled

WOODLAND HILLS (CBSLA) — Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center remained without running water Monday after a water main broke Sunday morning.

The healthcare giant reported that the water main break occurred on Burbank Boulevard, just west of De Soto Avenue. The hospital is located at 5601 De Soto Ave. It was not immediately clear what caused the main break.

On Monday afternoon, a temporary water line was installed, though Kaiser said full water service was not expected to be restored until Thursday.

No patients were evacuated, but surgeries and primary care appointments were canceled for Monday, while restrooms were replaced by dozens of porta-potties outside the emergency room.

The ER and urgent care remained open.

Hospital visitors and staff members said bottled water was brought in, but a number of people told CBS2 that the real problem was the need for patients to use porta-potties, especially for people who were recovering from medical procedures like Mike Gutierrez's mom who was being treated for a broken leg.

"She does have some wounds where they put the screws, where there's dressing," Gutierrez said. "A place where there's a porta-potty... it's very easy to catch something or for infections to grow... [I'm] outraged, confused as to why they're making her use a porta-potty."

A number of staff members told CBS2 they have been in the dark about what's going on or what's ahead.

Gutierrez said he was worried about his mom who has to be helped out of her room each time she goes to the restroom with her broken leg.

"She could barely stand or put pressure on it," Gutierrez said. "I can't see how they can help her in anyway. She's supposed to be here to get better and I think she'll get worse."

All patients whose surgeries or appointments are canceled are being contacted directly by Kaiser. For those wanting to check on their appointment, they can go online to kp.org, or call 1-833-KP4CARE.