Insects in the operating room at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre caused the cancellation of two days of surgery.
"Surgeries booked for Wednesday, September 24 and Thursday, September 25 and Friday September 26, 2014 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre were cancelled due to the sterile field being compromised by tiny flying insects which appear to have entered the operating room area on Tuesday evening through small cracks in the window seals," reported Sharon Tropin, Director of Communications with Sunrise Health Region.
Tropin said clients scheduled for surgeries were notified as soon as possible.
"Clients received calls to advise them of postponement of their surgeries and most have been rescheduled," she said. "The clients received personal calls from the operating room manager and were told about the reason for the postponement."
Tropin said they "recognize how trying it is for clients who have prepared themselves for a surgery," but added sometimes safety issues arise which cause postponements.
The issue of the infestation is being addressed.
"Repairs have been made to the window seals," said Tropin.
"Pest control, infection control and air quality experts have been working to ensure the sterility of the operating rooms prior to reopening."
By Monday surgeries were able to resume in two of the theatres.
"Two other theatres continue to be monitored," said Tropin.
Tropin said other measures have also been taken to facilitate operations.
"During this interruption in service, a temporary operating room was set up in the Intensive Care Unit to handle emergency surgeries Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region offered their assistance as well," she said.
"Every effort is being made to quickly restore use of the operating room area and to reschedule postponed surgeries."
