Patients face delays of up to six weeks for operations at Rob Ferreira Hospital after sweltering theatre temperatures heightened infection risks.

A patient who wishes to stay anonymous, to avoid prejudice to ongoing treatment, has been waiting almost a month for his procedure after he sustained a leg fracture. He was told that due to increasing temperatures he could not have surgery as he might run the risk of getting an infection.

ALSO READ: Rob Ferreira Hospital battles theatre cooling crisis as temperatures soar

The Department of Health responded to Lowvelder’s enquiry and confirmed that the hospital experienced a breakdown with air conditioners and that a contractor was appointed and dispatched.

“The contractor commenced repair works on the air-conditioning systems serving the theatres at Rob Ferreira Hospital on October 10 and completed the main repairs on October 16,” department spokesperson Chris Nobela said.

He added that after completion of the repairs, the theatre temperatures are currently within acceptable operating ranges, and the air-conditioning systems are fully operational.

Patients report past delay

Past patients report that theatre temperature problems have occurred before. Former patient Jan Hill (71) said that she was referred to the hospital between 2020 and 2021 for a mastectomy after she was diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer.

“They postponed my surgery the first time due to air conditioners that were faulty and the second time due to a shortage of tubes needed for my surgery,” she said. A year later she finally had her mastectomy. “Luckily my diagnosis was not too serious, but having to wait over a year was a frustration,” she said.

Surgeons raise alarm over theatre heat

Acting CEO and clinical manager Dr Tefo Mabina said that the hospital was informed by paediatric surgeons in September about ongoing temperature problems that posed a threat to surgery patients.

He explained that with increased temperatures in theatres, patients undergoing long procedures run the risk of contracting infections. Lower temperatures help slow down the potential growth of airborne micro-organisms. According to standard clinical guides, a theatre should be regulated between 18°C and 24°C, depending on the type of procedure.

Mabina confirmed that the hospital has eight theatres with functional air conditioners and that the waiting time for procedures is two to six weeks.

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga health department begins urgent repairs at Rob Ferreira Hospital

“When the hospital was built, they installed a central control system for all the air conditioners, which gets regulated to the same temperature,” he explained.

He added that paediatric and burn patients often require warmer temperatures to ensure that they do not develop hypothermia.

Hospital moves to modify cooling

Mabina added that, to ensure patient safety, the hospital has subsequently asked a service provider to modify two theatres’ air conditioners so that they can be regulated individually.

“The service provider was here in September, and we are waiting for the assessment to determine whether the change is feasible and what the cost will be,” he added.

He was not able to disclose when the assessment is expected to be finalised. Mabina remains hopeful that the hospital can make the necessary adjustments to perform more procedures in shorter time frames.

Nobela said that a contractor is on site to modify cooling in two paediatric theatres, enabling them to be regulated. He also added that the quality assurance team is investigating the allegations made by Hill.