A problem involving sterilisation equipment has forced Brisbane’s busy PA hospital to suspend all surgery. (AAP)
One woman was on the operating table at Princess Alexandra Hospital when she was told her surgery was cancelled.
Forty-six patients awaiting elective surgery have been turned away from one of Brisbane’s major hospitals, amid fears surgical instruments were contaminated.
One woman was lying on the operating table at the Princess Alexandra Hospital yesterday when doctors told her the surgery would not go ahead.
“I can’t actually believe that his has happened,” she told 9News.
Doctors told her equipment hadn’t been sterilised properly, after residue from an unknown chemical was found on instrument packaging.
“My husband and I just stared at each other and stared at him,” she said.
“It was so unbelievable.”
A health department investigation has found it was caused by a malfunctioning sterilisation machine. A chemical used to regulate steam created the residue.
Doctors have insisted it is safe and no surgeries were conducted with unsterilised instruments, but hospital staff will spend the weekend flushing out all equipment.
Health Minister Steven Miles said all but the most pressing operations have been cancelled.
“Due to a malfunction with the sterilisation equipment, the Princess Alexandra Hospital is only conducting emergency and urgent elective surgery today with reserve sterilised equipment,” the minister said on Friday.
“As always, patient safety is the priority. I have been advised that no patients have been exposed to unsterilised equipment.