All elective surgeries have been cancelled until further notice at the Ouellette Campus of Windsor Regional Hospital.
This is the second time in recent months that surgeries have been cancelled. The problem is related to ongoing issues with sterilization equipment.
Hospital CEO David Musyj says they are currently conducting tests on the Ouellette sterilization system (water/steam) with an expert from Georgia.
About 40 to 50 elective surgeries -- such as hip replacements -- are being cancelled every day until issue is fixed.
Musyj says they are continuing to work with their equipment manufacturers to continue to rule out any equipment issues.
He adds they are continuing to get the cloths that the instruments are wrapped in tested to determine the “scorching” substance on them. More testing needs to be done, he says.
They will continue to maximize capacity at the Met Campus to do as many surgeries as possible, says Musyj.
It is unknown when the problem will be resolved. Patients will be notified on a daily basis. Musyj says they are erring on the side of caution.
In June a number of operating rooms at Ouellette Campus have been closed due to a sterilizer equipment failure.
The issue in June was related to pressure release valves that supply and regulate the steam pressure to sterilizers.
