Huntington Hospital in Pasadena was closed Friday morning following a bomb threat, prompting police to sweep the building and divert emergency patients to other medical facilities. The threat was reportedly made by a group known to law enforcement and media outlets.
Pasadena Police Department officers responded to the hospital campus and are conducting an investigation. A hospital spokesperson confirmed they are "responding to a threat" and are "working closely with our local authorities to ensure safety of our staff, patients, and employees." The hospital remains open for staff and patients, with screening protocols in place, but has restricted outside visitors.
Law enforcement utilized K-9 units to search for suspicious packages or devices. The hospital has reportedly canceled numerous elective procedures and routine appointments. Authorities advised motorists to avoid the area.
Huntington Hospital, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, is a 625-bed not-for-profit hospital. It is recognized as the sole Level II trauma center in the San Gabriel Valley and was recently ranked as the highest-ranked hospital in that region and among the top 10 in California.