Hospital Probes Tamper Claims

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday October 17, 2007

By PAUL McINERNEY

HEALTH authorities have launched a major investigation into Wollongong Hospital's sterilisation procedures and yesterday recalled its needle holder packs.

The investigation was sparked two weeks ago by complaints from staff in the hospital's Central Sterilising Services Department that they were ordered to tamper with packs of single-use instruments.

Yesterday, a staff member told the Mercury that junior staff had been ordered to etch out single-use stamps on needle holders, forceps and vaginal speculums.

The staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that some of the medical equipment had been in circulation for a week before the alarm was formally raised.

Under hospital protocols, single-use medical equipment is to be issued directly in the original sterile packaging.

"When junior staff raised their concerns with management, they were told it was all right and to continue the practice," the staff member said.

"This was against all the guidelines, all of our training and all our hard work to keep high standards."

She claimed up to 90 single-use pieces of equipment had been involved in the tampering process.

The recalled instruments were now packed in boxes and stored in the sterilising department in preparation for the investigation.

Yesterday afternoon, chief executive of South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health Service Terry Clout confirmed an investigation was underway.

He said only 30 needle holders used in suture kits were involved and not 90 instruments as claimed.

"I am advised that 30 needle holders underwent multiple sterilisation procedures for the purpose of testing their capacity for high temperatures, even though they are clearly only to be used once," Mr Clout said.

"This is clearly a breach in our procedures and will not be tolerated. I have now asked for a full and independent investigation to be headed by the director of clinical governance and the area's surgical stream director Dr Hunter Watt."

Mr Clout stressed that none of the instruments had been previously used and had not come into contact with any patient before being sterilised and issued.

"Today, I have ordered a complete recall across the hospital of all needle holders to ensure patients and clinicians can retain complete confidence in the hospital's instrument procedures," he said.

"The hospital has sufficient supplies of the needle holders to ensure there is no impact on patient services."

Supervision of the sterilising department has now been transferred, he said.

Mr Clout promised a thorough investigation.

He did not respond to claims of staff being ordered to etch out single-use labels.

"I am not prepared to pre-empt the findings of this investigation, however I am completely confident this was an error of one individual and is not reflective of the processes within the hospital," he said.

"The fact this was raised by staff highlights that officers within the CSSD (department) are very clear on requirements for sterilisation and issuing of medical equipment, and shows staff feel comfortable in raising their concerns ..."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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