Number of operations reduced until repairs completed
Nov 24, 2009 - 03:23 PM
OSHAWA -- Flooding caused by a burst pipe has reduced the number of surgeries being done at Lakeridge Health Oshawa this week.
Emergency and elective surgeries are still being done, but the number of operations has been cut.
Water damage affected the sterilizing process department, where surgical tools are sterilized.
The hospital went to Code Grey, signifying a loss of infrastructure, on Friday, Nov. 20, at 2:30 p.m.
A sprinkler line coupling gave way on the main floor, near the G-wing elevators. The two floors below were also affected by water. The sterilizing process department is one floor below the area. The quality and safety of surgical instruments hasn't been affected; the volume that can be processed has.
Repairs began on Sunday, Nov. 22 and are being done in the area of the sterilizing process department to get it up and operating as soon as possible.
The reprocessing of some surgical instruments has been shifted to Lakeridge Bowmanville.
"Thanks to the quick actions of our surgical team and our entire staff, we've been able to manage this unfortunate set of circumstances, and most importantly, no one was seriously injured," Lakeridge Health president and CEO Kevin Empey said in a press release.
The Durham Emergency Medical Services, the Central East LHIN and "our hospital partners" have been notified of the situation, Mr. Empey added.
Dr. Mark Taylor, vice-president of medical and academic affairs, said, "As always, we stand ready for any emergency that comes through our doors. However, there may be slightly longer wait for patients who requires less urgent, but still very necessary, procedures."
When the repair work will be completed isn't yet known.
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