Ceiling collapses in the intensive care unit at Policlinico di Palermo, cardio surgery activity suspended

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

The Policlinico of Palermo has temporarily suspended emergency cardiothoracic surgery activity due to structural issues in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit led by Professor Cesira Palmeri di Villalba. The extraordinary commissioner of the university hospital, Maria Grazia Furnari, stated that technicians have been called in to address the situation. “We are working in synergy to restore full safety and usability of the affected areas to ensure the safety of staff and patients. Technicians have identified deterioration in part of the ceiling, and repair work will begin once inspections are completed,” Furnari said. The hospital’s medical management has informed emergency services and other hospitals in the city about the suspension so that urgent cases can be directed elsewhere. In the meantime, only in-house patients will be cared for with support from other intensive care units in the Emergency Department directed by Professor Antonino Giarratano. A portion of the ceiling collapsed in the intensive care unit, where no patients were present, posing a risk of injury from falling debris.