Strange smell forces evacuation of clinic at Eisenhower Medical Center

A Rancho Mirage orthopedic practice was evacuated Tuesday morning after an “unusual smell” made some people feel dizzy.

The odor was reported shortly after 9 a.m. on the third floor of Desert Orthopedic Center, which is located at 39000 Bob Hope Drive on the Eisenhower Medical Center campus.

Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson said a 130 people — 80 employees and 50 patients — were escorted out of the building after some complained of feeling lightheaded.

Some of those evacuated were undergoing pre-operative procedures — or being operated on — at the time of the evacuation, said California Department of Fire and Forestry Capt. Mike Smith.

He said they were moved to the emergency room at Eisenhower Medical Center.

“There was a strong smell on the second floor,” he said. “Two of the staff members complained of dizziness, and they were treated and released at scene.”

The building re-opened around 11:30 a.m., said Smith.

Gas company workers determined the smell did not come from a gas leak.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the source of the smell remained a mystery.