Surgical equipment goes missing from KEM OT

After money and mobile phones go missing in King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital, thieves are now making away with surgical instruments -- that too from the operation theatre

After money and mobile phones go missing in King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital, thieves are now making away with surgical instruments -- that too from the operation theatre

In what amounts to a major breach of security, KEM hospital authorities discovered on April 18 that parts of two autoclave machines in an orthopaedic operation theatre (OT) had gone missing, rendering the machines useless. Autoclave machines are instruments that are used to sterilize surgical equipment. The OT where the theft occurred had been shut for renovation for the last one month.


Autoclave machines are used to sterilize surgical equipment

Dr Pradeep Bhosle, who heads the orthopaedic department at KEM hospital, confirmed the incident. "I have intimated the security so that they can investigate. Parts of two autoclave machines were robbed. The hospital will have to purchase new parts in order that the machines can function again." Officials hope to have the OT functioning in the next 15 to 20 days.

Meanwhile, Ashok Shetty, the engineer responsible for the maintenance of surgical equipment at KEM hospital, said the civil contractor responsible for the renovation of the OT would have to be made accountable. "We cannot reveal the cost of the parts that have been robbed. But since the OT was under renovation, it was handed over to the civil contractor. We will make him compensate for the missing equipment," he said.

Despite most areas of the hospital under CCTV surveillance, no CCTVs have been installed near the OT. Officials believe it is the job of someone well-versed with the workings of instruments. "Removing parts from an autoclave machine requires a spanner and screwdriver," said an official at KEM hospital. The KEM security is currently conducting an inquiry into the matter and are expected to approach the police.

Mobile chor: In June 2010, security personnel nabbed thief Prakash Sharma, 23, a resident of Parel red handed while stealing a mobile. He confessed to having committed five such thefts at KEM hospital earlier.

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