Beverlie Rolin, a 90-year-old woman from British Columbia, recently underwent a broken hip surgery at White Rock’s Peace Arch Hospital after experiencing two cancellations. Her daughter, Hillary, spoke about the ordeal, explaining that the surgery was delayed due to a sterilization process issue. Beverlie has a long history with the hospital, having worked there as a kitchen staff member, nurse, and volunteer. Hillary expressed frustration at the delayed surgery, stating that her mother was in a lot of pain and unable to move for four days while waiting.
Global News reached out to the hospital for an interview but received an email statement from the executive director, Krystle Landert, instead. Landert expressed regret for the delay and impact on Beverlie’s surgery, attributing it to an unexpected technical issue in the department responsible for cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments. The hospital took immediate action to address the problem, working with maintenance and equipment vendors to repair the issue. As a result, some surgeries had to be rescheduled to ensure patient safety.
Despite the delays, Hillary praised the care her mother received from the nurses and doctors at White Rock hospital. She emphasized the importance of preventing similar situations from happening to other families in the future. Landert mentioned that the hospital is receiving support from other sites and additional staff to ensure that there are enough medical instruments available for all surgeries and procedures. The hospital is committed to addressing the issue and preventing further delays.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in managing surgical operations and ensuring patient safety. Delays in surgeries can have significant impacts on patients, causing pain and anxiety while waiting for necessary treatment. It is crucial for hospitals to have robust systems in place to address technical issues promptly and prevent disruptions in surgical schedules. Patients and their families rely on hospitals to provide timely and effective care, and incidents like this underscore the importance of transparency and communication in healthcare settings.
As Beverlie continues her recovery after the successful surgery, her family is grateful for the care she received at White Rock hospital. They hope that the hospital’s efforts to prevent similar delays in the future will be successful. The incident serves as a reminder of the dedication and hard work of healthcare professionals in providing quality care to patients, even in challenging circumstances. By learning from this experience and implementing necessary changes, hospitals can improve their processes and ensure better outcomes for all patients.
