This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/surrey/7129305.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Surgeons used 'dirty' instruments | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Eight patients at hospitals in Surrey and south London have been operated on with potentially contaminated instruments, it has been revealed. | Eight patients at hospitals in Surrey and south London have been operated on with potentially contaminated instruments, it has been revealed. |
Washing and disinfection of the instruments was carried out, but the subsequent sterilisation process was not completed in its entirety. | Washing and disinfection of the instruments was carried out, but the subsequent sterilisation process was not completed in its entirety. |
They were then used in treatments at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals. | They were then used in treatments at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals. |
The NHS trust said affected patients had been spoken to, and the risk of cross-infection was "extremely low". | The NHS trust said affected patients had been spoken to, and the risk of cross-infection was "extremely low". |
The sterilisation and disinfection unit is currently out of action and more than 100 routine operations have been cancelled in recent days as a result. | |
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said apparently faulty seals on some instrument packs were reported on 13 November. | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said apparently faulty seals on some instrument packs were reported on 13 November. |
We would like to extend our sincere apologies to those affected Dr Lindy Steven | We would like to extend our sincere apologies to those affected Dr Lindy Steven |
Eight were found to have not been through the final part of the sterilisation process, which uses high-pressure steam. | |
Another six instrument packs were being checked. | |
A trust spokesman said: "The Health Protection Agency has confirmed the process was enough to destroy any blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis, as well as infections like MRSA. | A trust spokesman said: "The Health Protection Agency has confirmed the process was enough to destroy any blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis, as well as infections like MRSA. |
"However something like tetanus might not have been destroyed." | "However something like tetanus might not have been destroyed." |
But medical director Dr Lindy Steven added: "Expert medical advice has confirmed that the risk to patients of any form of cross-infection is extremely low. | But medical director Dr Lindy Steven added: "Expert medical advice has confirmed that the risk to patients of any form of cross-infection is extremely low. |
"We would like to extend our sincere apologies to those affected, and to those whose operations are being delayed." | "We would like to extend our sincere apologies to those affected, and to those whose operations are being delayed." |
The work of the sterilisation and disinfection unit was suspended on 29 November, but there were no faulty instrument batches from that date back to the beginning of the investigation. | The work of the sterilisation and disinfection unit was suspended on 29 November, but there were no faulty instrument batches from that date back to the beginning of the investigation. |
A trust statement said checks would "make sure the remaining [six] packs will not be used", adding it was "highly unlikely that any other patients have been affected". | A trust statement said checks would "make sure the remaining [six] packs will not be used", adding it was "highly unlikely that any other patients have been affected". |
The eight patients operated on were offered appropriate blood tests and follow-up treatment. | The eight patients operated on were offered appropriate blood tests and follow-up treatment. |
Previous version
1
Next version