NTHSSA Advises of Service Interruptions at Stanton Territorial Hospital

(Yellowknife, April 17, 2019) – The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority is advising the public that Stanton Territorial Hospital is experiencing service interruptions related to Computed Tomography (CT Scans) and Instrument Reprocessing (i.e. instrument sterilization) services.

These service interruptions are affecting ability to undertake some diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures. Stanton continues to have capacity to carry out urgent and emergent surgeries, and other types of diagnostic technologies are not affected. As always, for any patients that require urgent or emergent services that exceed Stanton’s current capacity, NTHSSA maintains the ability to send individuals to Alberta.

CT Scanner

Stanton’s CT scanner is currently out of service due to a technical issue. A technician from the vendor is onsite and parts are currently enroute for the repair.

Any patients requiring urgent CT scan services may be referred to Alberta.

To date 45 CT scans have been cancelled and will be rescheduled based on when the machine is back online.

Sterilization

Stanton’s main sterilizer units are currently out of service. Stanton facilities staff are working to troubleshoot the issue and a technician from the vendor is expected to be on site on Thursday, April 18. Back up sterilization machines within the hospital remain in service, however these have significantly reduced capacity. 

As such, Stanton is working to reduce demand for instruments in order to preserve capacity to sterilize instruments for emergency cases. Certain priority procedures may also go ahead depending on sterilization capacity. Due to the Easter long weekend, there are no scheduled surgeries April 19 through 22 inclusive.

To date 12 scheduled surgeries have been cancelled.

Next Steps

It is important to note that while the timing of these issues is unfortunate, they are unrelated. Any patients who have their surgery or diagnostic imaging services cancelled will be contacted directly. Further public and media updates will be provided as progress is made in addressing these issues.

Media Contact

David Maguire
Manager, Communications
Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
TEL: 867-767-9107 ext. 40150
EMAIL: David_Maguire@gov.nt.ca