Further test results received

Further test results received

Following today’s announcement that traces of asbestos had been discovered in the clinical services block at Dunedin Hospital further results were received this afternoon.

The swabs have returned positive (which show the presence of asbestos fibres) for:

• the mortuary area on the lower ground floor

• the main stairwell (from the lower ground floor through to the second floor)

• the third floor laboratories’ lobby area and a number of rooms in molecular pathology

It’s important to note that all air testing to date remains clear.

Impact on services/patients

Mortuary: the mortuary has been closed. Alternative arrangements for funeral directors, police, the coroner’s office and others who come to the mortuary have been advised.

Stairwell: The central stairwell (off Cumberland Street) will be closed tonight and it is planned that decontamination cleaning will take place early tomorrowmorning. Some lifts in the ward block are available for use, as is the south stairwell. The decontamination cleaning is expected to be complete by the end of the day (Friday).

Laboratories: There is minimal/no disruption for the public in the third floor molecular pathology lab as the testing they provide, while important, is not urgent (for example hepatitis and HIV viral lodes, secal parasites etc). They don’t do any testing for acute/emergency department patients. The 3rd floor labs foyer area will be sealed off and the lab will make exclusive use of their northern entrance.

Note: the ground floor blood testing centre is unaffected – people should come in for their blood tests as per usual.

Non-urgent ultrasound scans postponed

Due to traces of asbestos being discovered in parts of the ultrasound suite, some areas have been cordoned off.

One ultrasound machine has been relocated to an x-ray room in order to maintain a service for acute (emergency) patients. The number of scans undertaken will be increased as we gain access to more ultrasound machines.

Non-urgent (elective) ultrasounds have been postponed today, tomorrow and next Tuesday. As the situation allows these patients will be re-booked to the next available time. The situation is being reviewed daily.

Background info on asbestos testing regime:

The process for identifying areas contaminated by asbestos is an initial visual inspection, then if warranted, a ‘broad sweep’ swab test. If results return positive, more intensive swabbing is carried out along with air testing. The swabs are sent to a laboratory in Christchurch for testing.

The asbestos has been discovered as part of routine testing being progressively carried out throughout Dunedin Hospital. The clinical services block is the first area to be tested.

A technical advisory team has been advising the DHB throughout this process. Their risk assessment is that the current level of risk from asbestos is negligible to low.

Air tests have been carried out regularly over the past few years in the Clinical Services Building and all have come back negative.

Safety remains the DHB’s number one priority and regular staff briefings are taking place across the organisation.

Public information is also being made available. Anyone with concerns should contact our information line 0800 214579 which is being manned by Occupational Health and Public Health nurses 8.00am and 8.00pm. So far the 0800 number has received six calls since it was established this morning.

ENDS

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