Union representatives at Hemet Global Medical Center have raised concerns about a mysterious odor causing health issues among staff, including two emergency room doctors who reportedly passed out and other employees who experienced dizziness and headaches. They claim the hospital’s management has not done enough to identify and address the source of the smell.
A spokesperson for the hospital’s public relations firm acknowledged “temporary closures in isolated portions of the hospital for plumbing repairs” but stated there were “no disruptions to care or surgery cancellations.” They emphasized that the hospital “remains safe and fully operational.” However, it remains unclear if the plumbing work is linked to the odor.
The spokesperson did not provide further details on what actions the hospital has taken to locate the source of the odor or whether other factors could be responsible.
Hemet Fire Chief Eddie Sell reported that firefighters had recently responded to the hospital on Devonshire Avenue at least twice, conducting tests for carbon monoxide and other gases, which revealed no hazardous substances. No hospital staff requested medical treatment from paramedics, according to Sell.
The concerns were made public during a press conference held on Monday, March 3, by members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents some of the hospital’s workers. The union members also highlighted other issues, including insufficient security and malfunctioning equipment, ahead of their contract’s expiration in October.
Emergency room registration clerk Brenda Lee Ozuna voiced strong criticism, stating, “This hospital is endangering my coworkers and patients.” Ozuna said she had contacted Cal/OSHA to investigate the odor, but inspectors had yet to visit the hospital. The Southern California News Group reached out to the agency on Monday but did not receive a response regarding a potential investigation.
Another union representative, Ferdinand Silerio, mentioned a belief that mold might be present in the hospital, though this had not been confirmed. He also noted a reported sewage spill, acknowledging that some information might be based on rumors. Silerio said that patients had been moved out of the intensive care unit due to odors and possible mold.
Jessica Meinert, an emergency room technician, estimated that around 50 employees had experienced symptoms. She recalled that many nurses felt dizzy and faint last week, initially attributing it to the heat. However, the symptoms persisted even as temperatures dropped. Meinert criticized management for not doing more to address the situation, saying the only advice offered was for employees to go outside for fresh air if they felt unwell. According to Meinert, management has not provided treatment for symptoms or acknowledged any air quality issues.
“What will it take to prioritize your staff’s safety?” she asked. “Find the cause of these issues.”
