Investigation launched at SSKM Hospital after discovery of rusty scissors in OT during surgery

At SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where a pair of rusty scissors was found in the operating theater during a C-section procedure. The discovery was made when the surgeon attempted to use the scissors, which reportedly split apart, prompting immediate alarm among the medical staff. Fortunately, the scissors did not come into contact with the patient, and the operation was successfully completed using a different set of surgical tools.

Junior doctors at the hospital took to social media to share images of the rusty scissors alongside blood-stained gloves, igniting widespread concern about the standards of equipment used in one of West Bengal's leading healthcare institutions. The incident has raised questions about the hospital's sterilization protocols, inventory management, and overall patient safety practices. In light of these concerns, the hospital administration has initiated an internal investigation to determine how such outdated equipment was permitted in a critical care environment.

Officials at SSKM Hospital are reviewing the history of the scissors in question, specifically when they were last sterilized and how they ended up in the operating theater. Preliminary reports indicate that the scissors have been in use for several years, prompting further scrutiny into the hospital's equipment replacement policies and the criteria for maintaining surgical instruments. This incident has led to calls for a comprehensive audit of all surgical tools and equipment used within the facility.

The investigation will also assess the protocols in place for ensuring that surgical instruments are properly sterilized before use. Junior doctors have voiced concerns over the quality control measures employed in the operating theater, emphasizing that patient safety should be the paramount concern in a super-specialty hospital.

Hospital officials are under pressure to provide detailed explanations about the procedures followed in maintaining and sterilizing surgical equipment. As the investigation progresses, SSKM Hospital aims to address these critical issues and restore public confidence in its ability to provide safe and effective medical care.