Too muggy to operate: Humidity-hit hospital cancels procedures
29.07.2008 16:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
 A dozen operations have postponed so far this summer at Western Regional Memorial Hospital because of high humidity in Corner Brook. (CBC)High humidity is creating a sticky situation in operating rooms in a western Newfoundland hospital, where a dozen procedures have been postponed. The humidity has forced managers of Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook to delay work in the operating room on four separate days so far this summer. Minnie Wasmeier, a chief operating officer for Western Health, said high humidity increases the risk of infection. "There is a small risk with relative humidity, but it's not quantifiable," Wasmeier told CBC News Tuesday. As well, surges in humidity make it hard for doctors and nurses to do their jobs. "It's also an occupational health and safety issue," she said. "It's very difficult to [handle] cases in those types of situations." Complicating matters is the fact that hospital is aging and does not have air conditioning. Wasmeier said an engineering firm has helped with the problem since it was hired last year. "They suggested that we install moisture elimination panels…. These things decrease the amount of moisture getting into our air handling units. "They advised that this might help us. But they weren't sure because of the age of the building and the type of ventilation we have, they didn't think it would solve the problem completely." Wasmeier said that has helped reduce the problem, but surgeries may still have to be cancelled on particularly humid days. Corner Brook city council and other groups have been lobbying for years to replace Western Memorial. The Newfoundland and Labrador government has said it intends to replace the hospital. In this spring's budget, the government said it would focus this year on selecting a site and planning for a new hospital. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksCorner Brook ICU patients moved after roof fireNew hospital needed in Corner Brook, Liberals pledgeAudio Dorothy King, host of the Morning Show from Corner Brook, intervies Minnie Wasmeier (Runs: 5:28) Play: Real Media »Health Headlines'Massive dysfunctionality' led to isotope crisis: ClementA "massive dysfunctionality" of communication between parties led to the closing of the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. reactor in Chalk River, Ont., and subsequent shortage of medical isotopes, federal Health Minister Tony Clement said.Ontario's NDP calling for law presuming automatic consent for organ donationOntario's New Democrats are renewing calls for a presumed-consent law to govern organ donation in the province. Eastern Health offered little help in probing cancer test flaws: MD A physician has told a judicial inquiry she received little help from superiors in trying to investigate flawed cancer tests in 2005. Kids target of $1.6 billion in food ads: U.S. FTCA Federal Trade Commission report suggests the entertainment industry take steps to tie popular TV and movie characters to more nutritional products.Too muggy to operate: Humidity-hit hospital cancels procedures High humidity is creating a sticky situation in operating rooms in a western Newfoundland hospital, where a dozen procedures have been postponed. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHNanotechnologyReally, really small stuff that's really big. But is it safe?VIDEONutritionFeeding your bones (4:27)ANOTHER VIEWDrugs and drivingNew law a 'positive step', analyst saysIN DEPTHTrans fatsMoving away from bad fatsHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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