New sterilization machines coming to Halifax hospitals

HALIFAX – Seven new sterilizers will be coming to the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General this summer.

The sterilizers cost $925,077, including training, said Nova Scotia Health Authority Spokesperson Everton McLean in an email. The Authority has also committed another $200,445 for a five year maintenance contract. McLean said that money will cover preventative maintenance and service agreements for the seven sterilizers.

The Halifax Infirmary will receive the sterilizers first, said McLean. The three going to the infirmary will be operational by the end of July. The four going to the Victoria General will be operational by the end of August.

The QEII hospital cancelled 563 surgeries when the autoclaves, more commonly known as sterilizers, broke down at the Halifax Infirmary in April, said McLean. Most of the surgeries that were cancelled because of equipment shortages, have now been rebooked or completed, he said.

In April, Health Minister Leo Glavine said five new sterilization machines would be purchased. McLean said seven were purchased because two other sterilization machines would soon also need to be replaced. By replacing all seven at once, McLean said the health authority was able to get a better price for the machines.

The provincial health authority didn’t issue a tender for the machines because of the “urgency” of getting them as soon as possible, said McLean. While the hospital waits for new machines, sterilized equipment for surgeries at the QEII, which includes the Victoria General and Halifax Infirmary, is being shipped in from the IWK, Dartmouth General, Truro and Kentville.

– More to come.