40 patients infected after operations at Thelle Mogoerane Hospital

4 November 2016

Forty patients were infected with sepsis after operations at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital (formerly New Natalspruit) in Vosloorus, forcing the shutdown of four operating theatres.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mahlangu "40 cases were treated for post-operative sepsis over a period of three months" and were all treated successfully with antibiotics and appropriate dressings for operated wound sepsis.

Preventative maintenance was done in four theatres and two were used for emergencies. About 120 patients were sent to other hospitals for a period of seven days.

I am concerned that this occurred at a new hospital that was opened two years ago. Six faulty sensor theatre doors had to be replaced - surely this should have been picked up earlier?

We are lucky that no lives were lost, but patients should not be traumatized by infections picked up in an operating theatre.

I hope that the repair measures and disinfection checks ensure that there are no more preventable infections for patients undergoing operations at this hospital.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 4 November 2016