|
Dirty hospital instruments often stop surgery, claim surgeons |
|
02 May 2008 |
Hospital operations are often cancelled because instruments supposedly streilized by private companies are dirty or broken, according to the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
Sterilization has increasingly been outsourced to private companies in recent years, but a survey of surgeons found that the equipment was often either unfit for use, damaged, or late.
Hospital operations are often cancelled because instruments supposedly streilized by private companies are dirty or broken, according to the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
Sterilization has increasingly been outsourced to private companies in recent years, but a survey of surgeons found that the equipment was often either unfit for use, damaged, or late.
As a result, operations are cancelled at the last minute, often when patients are already anaesthetised.
The survey showed that 70 per cent of paediatric surgeons using outside firms were unhappy about it. The same was true for 82 per cent of neurosurgeons, 79 per cent of ear, nose and throat surgeons and 60 per cent of plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
Thirty-two per cent of plastic surgeons were not happy with the level of sterility, as were 30 per cent of ear, nose and throat surgeons, 28 per cent of neurosurgeons and 28 per cent of paediatric surgeons.
When it came to equipment being maintained in good condition, 70 per cent of paediatric surgeons were not happy with the service along with 85 per cent of neurosurgeons and 84 per cent of plastic surgeons.
The RCS said that although private firms largely succeeded in sterilizing kit, too much came back late or went missing. Sensitive, expensive tools were being broken, a statement said. 'Without the equipment to do the job, surgeons are forced to cancel or abandon operations - sometimes when patients are anaesthetised and prepared.'
Professor Richard Ramsden, who collected the evidence, said: 'Operations are delayed because vital tools are not available. Surgeons working with on-site instrument cleaning facilities are getting a better service, enough to warrant an urgent reassessment of what's best for the NHS.'
Sarah Coles is a member of Kester Cunningham John's specialist clinical negligence team, with a special expertise in cases involving hospital infections. She recently brought an MRSA-related case against Southend hospital.
'There seem to be too many examples of private sector involvement in the NHS leading to problems, and this is apparently another,' she says.
'In spite of the government's investment of more than |
|
