Blast shuts down sterilisation unit

An explosion at Christchurch's Burwood Hospital yesterday left staff shaken and put an $80,000 sterilising unit out of action.

The doors of the unit blew open just after midday yesterday. The explosion damaged the machine and the room it was in.

Canterbury DHB general manager Trevor English said nobody was injured, although staff who were present took the rest of the day off work.

The hospital and the machine's manufacturer are investigating the cause of the blast.

A second sterilisation unit of the same type will not be used until the cause is known.

There was no need to postpone surgery as an alternative means of sterilising equipment would be available next week, Mr English said.

- NZPA