March 22, 2023
(LONDON, Ontario) - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has identified and isolated the source of light staining identified on its surgical trays.
It has been identified that the light staining originated from the steam system used to process surgical equipment at University Hospital. We had concerns that this could impact additional sites, so we stopped processing equipment for a period of time in order to test all systems.
The light staining was identified on the liner that sits below the surgical tray holding medical tools for surgeries and procedures.
Out of an abundance of caution, we cancelled elective surgeries and some scheduled procedures yesterday and today. This allowed our teams to complete a thorough investigation. All trays without stains were redirected for use in urgent and emergent surgeries.
After addressing the root cause, we are confident that the trays are safe for use.
The team is now working to get all equipment back online to ensure that all sites have the tools necessary to perform all surgeries and procedures starting tomorrow.
Elective surgeries and scheduled procedures will proceed starting tomorrow. Our teams are working to reschedule surgeries as quickly as possible. Any patient whose procedure was impacted yesterday or today will be contacted by their care team as soon as possible to reschedule.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make by our team. We understand that the pause on elective and scheduled surgeries and procedures is stressful and disappointing for our patients and caregivers,” says Tammy Quigley, System Innovation and Business Development Executive at LHSC. “While brief, we believe that it was necessary to investigate and ensure our patients receive the safest care possible.”
For more information contact:
Elizabeth (Beth) Summers
Senior Media Relations Consultant
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500 x77767
media@lhsc.on.ca
