The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) wishes to advise the public that it has encountered a technical challenge with its biosafety cabinet, which is used to manufacture chemotherapy treatments.
A decision was taken to discontinue the use of the biosafety cabinet in question. Management immediately enacted arrangements to ensure the continuity of service for the approximately 16 patients affected, through the temporary establishment of an appropriate facility at the Best Dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.
This interim facility is currently being decontaminated, and once deemed ready for use, will resume the preparation of chemotherapy drugs. The QEH expects to resume preparation of chemotherapy treatments by Saturday, November 10, and patients are expected to continue treatment from Monday, November 12.
A private facility is assisting with patients whose treatment cannot be delayed or disrupted until Monday. Management has also taken immediate steps to identify a suitable replacement biosafety cabinet. This replacement cabinet will be procured and commissioned within the next 6 to 8 weeks. The Best Dos Santos Laboratory will service the QEH during this period.(PR)
