Vandalism at Calgary’s Foothills Medical to blame for some surgery delays: AHS
Posted Mar 22, 2023 5:29 pm.
Last Updated Mar 22, 2023 5:32 pm.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) says vandalism was to blame for some impacts to surgical and inpatient lab services at Foothills Medical Centre Tuesday.
It was early in the morning when police were called to the Calgary facility for reports of someone inside damaging equipment.
According to AHS, “some scheduled surgical procedures which required rapid lab services during surgery were delayed” by the situation. However, it notes all cases were reviewed “to ensure the ongoing safety of patients.”
“Most surgeries were accommodated,” the health authority said in an email to CityNews. “However, due to the delay, a small number of procedures unfortunately needed to be postponed and rescheduled.”
AHS says all procedures that were postponed are being rebooked, adding some have already taken place Wednesday. It adds, in total, there were 79 scheduled surgical procedures booked for Tuesday.
The authority says its decisions to delay or postpone procedures were made with patient safety in mind.
Staff were able to “resolve the situation” and resume full lab services as of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Meanwhile, AHS says procedures that did not require immediate lab services were not affected. Reports suggest one person was arrested.
-With files from Tiffany Goodwein
