Wishard pipe burst cancels surgeries

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A burst steam pipe forced Wishard Memorial Hospital to shut down its operating rooms Thursday night. The hospital said normal operations resumed Friday afternoon.

Fifteen surgeries have had to be canceled and more cancellations are expected.

"These are exactly the kind of systematic failures we worry about everyday here," Wishard CEO and medical director Dr. Lisa Harris said. "This is a big part of the reason why we must build a new Wishard Hospital now – not later."

The burst pipe prevented doctors from being able to sterilize tools and instruments. It also forced the cafeteria to limit services.

The trauma center was still able to perform emergency operations.