MINNEAPOLIS - Internal memos and emails obtained by KARE 11 News reveal that Abbott Northwestern hospital used "unsterilized" medical equipment in surgeries last week, potentially putting some patients at risk of serious infections.
"This is an incredibly unacceptable and dangerous," said a hospital employee who spoke on the condition we take steps to protect their identity.
Abbott Northwestern is the largest hospital in the Twin Cities. It has been recognized nationally by US News and World Report for patient safety and dedication to reducing medical mistakes.
But an internal hospital memo dated September 12, said an "unsterilized load of 14 instrument sets were released into service" and some were used during "several cases."
The memo calls it "a very serious matter."
Another email marked "URGENT" was sent yesterday saying the hospital was "delaying surgery" schedules for a staff meeting because the sterilization issue "needs to be addressed."
When KARE 11 contacted the hospital, an Allina Health spokesman sent us a statement saying, "An internal review determined that four patients were potentially affected by this unfortunate error." Although the hospital called the risk very small, the statement continued, "All of these patients have been offered testing for infections."
The hospital says its follow-up investigation revealed that only 4 of the 14 unsterilized trays of medical equipment had actually been used. It says all of the patients involved have been contacted.
How could this happen? A hospital employee told us surgical instruments are supposed to be sterilized in what's called a Genesis pan that has a white plastic lock inserted in it. When the pans are properly sterilized, the white locks change color so that anyone viewing it can easily tell it's now safe to use.
"To have this happen with even one tray is shocking, scary, unacceptable," the employee said. "But that this happened to so many trays at one time is mind blowing. It's essentially a healthcare bomb."
In an email Thursday evening, Abbott Northwestern spokesman David Kanihan stressed the hospital believes the "risk of infection for these patients is extremely low."
Statement from Abbott Northwestern Hospital:
"On September 12, the Abbott Northwestern Sterile Processing Department identified surgical instruments that were used on September 11 that had been cleaned and disinfected but did not go through the final step in the sterilization process.
An internal review determined that four patients were potentially affected by this unfortunate error.
We have notified the potentially involved patients and their physicians so they are aware. All of these patients have been offered testing for infections, although our infection control experts have confirmed that the infection risk is very small and did not recommend any testing or treatments."
