In a startling turn of events, patients and staff at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Portland have been dealing with an unusual—and alarming—issue: bats infiltrating the hospital's premises. Their struggle to contain this situation escalated to a formal complaint lodged with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last year.

Hospital officials acknowledged on Thursday that they are actively working to manage what they termed "occasional incursions from bats." Despite these measures, reports indicate that there have already been seven bat sightings in 2024 alone.

Following a complaint in June 2024 from hospital employees, who expressed concerns over the ongoing bat issue, Maine Medical Center launched an aggressive campaign to thwart these furry intruders. Enhancements included a comprehensive facade replacement at the Coulombe Family Tower, which houses the NICU and critical care nursery.

Fortunately, MaineHealth spokesperson John Porter announced that the OSHA complaint has since been resolved without any fines, thanks to the hospital's proactive corrective action plan. OSHA officials confirmed that all necessary guidelines have been met.

"There have been no known bites to patients or staff," Porter reassured, adding that all captured bats have been tested for rabies—with negative results. He highlighted that no tests were conducted on patients or employees, as there were no incidents warranting such action.

While the last recorded human case of rabies in Maine dates back to 1937, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that ten bats statewide tested positive for the virus in 2024. Tests on bats at Maine Med were processed through state labs.

However, a nurse, familiar with the ongoing bat problem, voiced frustration over the hospital's delayed response, having experienced complaints from colleagues spanning several years. "I do think they are working on resolving it now, after the OSHA complaint, but they were slow to start addressing it," she remarked, preferring to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from management.

A June 2024 letter from MaineHealth to OSHA indicated that bat issues have persisted since 2023, with the situation worsening this year. The surge in bat sightings was attributed to ongoing building repairs in the tower.

Aside from corrective measures, the letter revealed that precautions included temporarily closing part of the critical care nursery and sealing entry points to deter future bat incursions. Porter emphasized ongoing cooperation with OSHA and commitment to safeguarding both patients and staff.

With a resurgence of bat populations in the Northeast in recent years, experts warn of the need for heightened vigilance. As Maine Medical Center continues its bat control efforts, the urgency of ensuring a safe environment for newborns remains paramount.

Will the hospital's measures be enough to protect its most vulnerable patients? The community watches closely.