Düsseldorf clinic closes OP for fruit flies

Hospital closes operating rooms due to fruit flies

06/01/2014

In a Dusseldorf clinic, two operating rooms were closed for reasons of hygiene. One area of ​​the surgical tract had been attacked by fruit flies. Some operations had already been moved to neighboring houses.

Problem already occurred in December
Two of the five operating theaters have been closed at the St. Vinzenz Hospital in Düsseldorf, as they were attacked by fruit flies. „The problem occurred on the 22nd of December and we acted immediately to seal and separate the affected areas. But that is a normal process“, Martin Schicht, spokesman for the Catholic Duchy of Düsseldorf (VKKD). „Although the situation was not dramatic due to the infestation of the fly, the responsibility for our patients is, of course, our top priority.“

Various measures taken
The affected areas were examined by hygiene experts from the hospital and an external pest control company. Meanwhile, various measures have been taken. „We dismantled and cleaned the sinks throughout the operating room. We repeated this procedure several times to make sure that all insects are eliminated“, Helmut Wenzel, hygiene officer of the clinic explained. In addition, the air conditioning and exhaust air system was controlled and UV insect traps had been set up.

Origin of the flies so far unknown
The origin of the small insects was previously unknown. „We have such a case for the first time. But there are many reasons for this, because you never get 100 percent sterile in a sensitive area. The flies may also have been on a cardboard box“, so the hospital spokesman. The mild weather probably plays a role, since the flies can reproduce better. There was no health risk for patients.

No danger from this type of fly
Fly researcher Alf Herzig from the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology also sees no danger. So far no case is known in which pathogens were transmitted by this type of fly. The head of the health department, Klaus Göbels, praised the behavior of the hospital after the fly find: „The hospital responded appropriately and quickly.“ It is important that hospitals such cases „do not just cover up“, but make it transparent and take all necessary steps to solve the problem.

Normal operation again from Monday
Due to the closure of the operating theaters, some interventions such as hip surgery or gallbladder surgery had to be postponed or moved to neighboring hospitals over the past few days. „But only operations where it was medically acceptable. Emergencies were treated as usual in the other rooms“, so layer. He could also give the all-clear. „The premises are permanently monitored and we are sure that all flies have been eliminated. If no further infestations are detected at the weekend, then starting on Monday the operation of the operating theater should start as usual“, said the VKKD spokesman. (Ad)

Image: Dieter Schütz