Crews respond to chemical issue at Riley Hospital for Children

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Four adults required treatment Thursday after an issue with a substance a patient brought into Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

Hospital officials said the patients' conditions ranged from fair to serious. One was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital, one was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital and two were treated at the scene.

Staff members were alerted to an odor around 11:30 a.m. It wasn't immediately clear what the substance was, but crews determined a patient brought it in. They said it isn't a terrorist attack.

The issue prompted a lockdown of Riley's emergency room, though IU Emergency Management tweeted at 1:33 p.m. that people were being allowed to leave. Officials were urging people to take child patients to other IU Health facilities for treatment, and to avoid Riley.

It's unclear how many people may have been exposed to the substance. Clothing was taken by crews to be tested, though it was also unclear when those results would be available.

Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health released the following statement around 2 p.m.:

“External crews have yet to identify the exact source of the incident from earlier today at Riley Hospital for Children that sickened seven adults, however the area has been contained and we’re seeing no evidence of any further spread. We continue to evaluate the situation and provide care to the adults who have been exposed. The Riley at IU Health Emergency Department remains closed temporarily, however all other normal hospital operations have resumed. Patients, staff and their families are being asked to use the Riley Outpatient Center and Simon Family Tower entrances. Emergency services are being diverted to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital. We will provide another update at approximately 3:30 p.m. ”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.