Denver-based Porter Adventist Hospital will resume surgeries on a limited schedule April 12 after implementing changes recommended by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment following an orthopedic and spine surgery infection control breach.
Here are five things to know.
1. The CDPHE investigated the infection control breach and became aware of several patients who had surgical site infections after undergoing orthopedic or spine surgery at the hospital between July 21, 2016 and April 5, 2018.
2. On April 4, Porter Adventist Hospital mailed letters to patients who may have been put at risk by undergoing spine or orthopedic surgery during the 18-month period.
3. It is unclear if these SSIs are linked to the breach.
4. On April 5, Porter voluntarily closed its operating rooms due to concerns with the postsurgical cleaning process for surgical tools and residue on orthopedic and spine surgical tools after sterilization. Porter officials believed the breach was potentially caused by a water quality issue, but the hospital's water quality was found to be within the normal range in drinking water.
5. The hospital is offering to test patients who had orthopedic or spine surgery performed during the 18-month period for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
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