Select group of Inverell Hospital patients to be reviewed
17 September 2009
Hunter New England Health has made contact with a select group of patients who had gastroscopy or colonoscopy procedures at Inverell Hospital between 3 February 2009 and 24 August 2009, following an infection control breach.
HNE Health’s Director of Operations Primary and Community Networks, Scott McLachlan, said while he understood patients may be concerned, there was actually a low risk that cross-infection may have occurred.
The infection control breach involved the use of single-use devices for administering sedation during gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
It’s important to note that these items did not come in direct contact with patients, but did connect to a tube which then delivered the sedation.
Even though there was no direct contact with patients, there is a small chance of cross-infection.
“Hunter New England Health and NSW Health immediately convened a panel of clinical experts to assess the risk to patients from this event. The panel found that the risk of cross-infection to individual patients is likely to be low,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Despite this, Hunter New England Health is taking the matter very seriously, and we sincerely apologise for any distress this news may cause patients and their families.
“Free follow-up blood tests, support and GP consultations for all 218 patients is being offered as a precautionary measure, to determine if any cross-infection did occur.
“With the help of numerous HNE Health staff, we have been able to speak to all but two of the 218 affected patients. These patients have been sent a letter via registered post, as at 17 September.”
“We want to assure the community that as soon as this infection control breach was identified, we took immediate steps to rectify the issue and have begun an investigation of infection control procedures within Inverell Hospital’s theatres.
“HNE Health will also be carrying out a further review of Inverell’s overall compliance with infection control policies and procedures within the entire hospital. We anticipate that investigation will be complete by mid-November 2009.
“Any recommendations from the investigation or the subsequent review will be included as part of an action plan, which will be implemented as a high priority.”
An information line has been established for patients and families who may have questions about this matter. The number is 1300 811 552.
(HNE-2001)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: (02) 6767 7135