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Patients put at risk of infection 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. 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 StevenWe 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, using high-pressure steam. Eight were found to have not been through the final part of the sterilisation process, which uses high-pressure steam.
Another six instrument packs remain outstanding. 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.