A shortage of clean theatre linen led to the cancellation of 154 operations at the Helen Joseph Hospital from January last year to July this year.
According to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom, this information was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
Bloom said that according to Mahlangu, the linen shortage was because of a breakdown of boilers, and improper installation of autoclaves that are used to sterilise linen.
He added that Mahlangu claimed that these problems have now been fixed by the Department of Infrastructure Development. Bloom pointed out that the linen shortage intensified earlier this year as it led to 94 cancelled operations from January to July.
The worst month hit by the linen shortage was in May, when 40 operations were cancelled, Bloom said.
He alleged that the hospital had also suffered from shortages of blankets, bed sheets, pyjamas, night dresses and nurse gowns.
“This forced some patients to use their own blankets and pyjamas,” said Bloom.
Bloom added that Mahlangu asserted that clean linen would be ensured by doing more washing in-house, procuring linen, and appointing retired nurses to co-ordinate better management of linen between the laundry and theatre/wards.
The maintenance contract of hospital machinery has also been completed.
”I hope that measures to ensure clean laundry at all times are successful as it is very disruptive to have so many operations cancelled for an avoidable reason,” said Bloom.
“It adds to long surgery backlogs that lead to much suffering by patients,” he added.
However, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona, stated that the hospital had already received linen to the value of R2 108,454 and would be receiving the rest by 6 November.
Mabona also added that two coal boilers were under maintenance and they would be in the final stage of repair.
”One coal boiler is being used and is operational as the demand in summer is low. A dual fuel stand-by boiler is available and is operational. The autoclaves are working and they will be further serviced soon,” said Mabona.
Mabona further explained that Helen Joseph Hospital employed an additional supervisor to co-ordinate the better management of linen between the laundry and theatre/wards. “Furthermore we have expanded in-house washing of linen such that no theatre cases have been cancelled due to shortage of linen for several months now,” he concluded.
Related articles:
UPDATE: Helen Joseph to receive new linen
Helen Joseph hit by shortage of clean linen
