Theatres too cold for surgery

The recent chilly weather has closed some operating theatres at Tauranga Hospital for the morning shift because of a fire risk.

The very cold southerlies and associated frosts have resulted in very dry air and Tauranga Hospital has cancelled operations in some theatres this week as humidity levels were outside accepted best practice.

Chief operating officer Graham Dyer said humidity must be between 30 and 60 per cent to ensure appropriate operation of theatres. Certain electrical devices used during operations could potentially catch fire if the humidity was too low.

"Despite attempts to counteract the humidity level by adjusting theatre temperatures and using humidifiers, each winter Tauranga Hospital loses two to five days of theatre time due to lack of humidification in theatre," said Mr Dyer.

Urgent surgery continued in theatres with appropriate humidification levels.

Tauranga Hospital has five theatres, all of which can be affected by the humidity level. The problem will be fixed in the new theatre suite now under construction.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES