UBCH team saves the day!

In an operating room, dust can kill. So when the ceiling began to leak in OR 7 at UBC Hospital, a team was quick to form and even quicker to take action.

“Foreign material causing a deep tissue wound infection can be difficult, if not impossible, to treat,” says Craig Pienkowski, infection control practitioner. “If dust or spores were to attach to a hip or knee replacement, the resulting infection could kill a person.”

Fortunately, no patients were at risk when the leak began, but the challenge facing the UBCH team was daunting. They had to restore OR 7 as quickly as possible and rejuggle the day’s surgery slate to accommodate patients’ scheduled surgeries — and they did.

The team, including OR, Facilities and Infection Control staff, worked through the day and late into the night to resolve the situation. With the help of a contract restoration service, the team ensured OR 7 was ‘open for business’ within 24 hours.

“It was an amazing team effort,” says Tracey Taulu, operations director for UBC Hospital and Medical Day Care. “The leak was fixed, the ceiling patched and the OR cleaned and ready for the next day’s first scheduled surgery.”

Dan Clement, site facility manager agrees. “It boiled down to having a high-functioning multidisciplinary team that was capable and confident to make critical decisions,” he says.  “Everyone knew their roles and we all trust and support each other out here. It’s the best work environment I’ve ever had.”

In the end, no surgeries were cancelled and patient safety was maintained.

We applaud our friends and colleagues at UBC Hospital! Thank you for going the extra mile — thank you for putting People First.