Children’s Hospital Closes Operating Rooms Due to Asbestos
According to an article in The Chronicle Herald, a white substance was discovered in one of the pediatric operating suites late Tuesday morning, said Jocelyn Vine, vice president of patient care for the IWK.
“We’re doing a full assessment of the situation,” she told the media on Wednesday afternoon.
No one from the hospital was able to confirm whether or not any surgeries were being performed when the asbestos was discovered. However, the find did prompt the immediate closing of that particular operating room. Later, the remainder of the pediatric operating rooms were closed. A hospital release late Tuesday said extensive tests had found no asbestos in the air.
All emergency pediatric surgeries were performed in the women’s suite, said a hospital spokesperson. Non-emergency procedures were postponed or moved to another area health centre.
Ms. Vine said they did not know there was asbestos present in the building prior to Tuesday’s incident. The children’s portion of IWK, which was built in 1970, is currently undergoing a $48 million renovation.
“We do have the pediatric redevelopment that’s going on in that area and several other areas within the organization,” Ms. Vine said.
Vine said she could no comment on how the hospital would deal with the asbestos until all assessments were complete. She also didn’t know how long the operating rooms would be closed or whether the discovery of asbestos will affect the redevelopment plans.
Asked if the families of children who have been operated on in the space have any reason to worry, she said, “Not at this point.”
Exposure to airborne asbestos is known to cause a host of pulmonary problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, a serious asbestos cancer.