The results of a survey of over 250 surgeons, carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons, suggest that operations are being cancelled because equipment is being damaged and delayed by out-sourced private decontamination centres. The survey revealed widespread frustration and concern, with two-thirds of respondents unhappy about the availability and condition of instruments sent for sterilisation away from the hospital.
Decontamination failures
The College said that, although the centres are mostly succeeding in sterilising kit, too many devices are returned late or go missing, while sensitive, expensive tools are being broken. Without the equipment to do the job, surgeons are forced to cancel or abandon operations – sometimes when patients are already anaesthetised and prepared.
