UPDATE: Cause of dark residue on surgical instruments identified
LETHBRIDGE – Alberta Health Services has postponed 57 surgeries and medical procedures at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge after a dark residue was found on some surgical instruments.
The residue was discovered on Wednesday, during the cleaning and sterilization of surgical equipment used in operating rooms and day procedures.
AHS says most elective surgeries scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday have been postponed, but emergency surgeries are continuing using surgical equipment from other hospitals.
Despite the move to delay dozens of surgeries, AHS maintains the risk to patient safety is low.
“The chemical and biological markers for the level of cleaning and sterility for our instruments continues to meet Canadian standards,” said South Zone Medical Officer of Health Dr. Goodison.
“We took the proactive approach of postponing scheduled surgeries because patient safety is a top priority,” she added.
“We take this situation very seriously.”
Postponed surgeries and procedures will be rescheduled as soon as possible, and patients will be contacted about rebooking dates.
AHS says water systems and medical device processing equipment at the hospital is being tested, and won’t be used to clean or sterilize anything until the results are in.
Until then, the hospital will send equipment to other AHS facilities to be cleaned and sterilized.
Officials say it’s possible more surgical procedures may need to be postponed until the problem is fixed.
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