MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Four of six operating theatres have been renovated at a cost of $13.4 million to bolster infection control and prevention at Mandeville Regional Hospital.

Chief Executive officer Alwyn Miller said the hospital’s four main theatres underwent extensive upgrading recently. The other two operating theatres are used for maternity services and ophthalmology.

He said the main theatres are used for general surgeries, urology, ear nose and throat, orthopaedics and gynaecology.

“The renovation that was done here was with the intention to do preventative maintenance to restore the walls and flooring of the theatre and we used the opportunity, as well, to do some changes in terms of storage facilities, doors, lighting, plumbing, all of that,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday.

“The intention was to restore the theatre so that we don’t have any disruption to surgical services during the course of the year as a result of maintenance issues or any sort of infection control issue, so we came in and we did this restoration, mitigation measure if you will, and basically to make it a safer space in terms of infection control and a more comfortable space for the staff to work and patients to receive their surgery,” he added.

He explained that scope of work ensured the theatres were also aesthetically pleasing in addition to the safety measures.

“If you look at the floor it is freshly done. The walls were recently done as well and the kind of works that were done were such to basically protect the space from infection, so the walls and the floors are smooth in touch. They can be washed and cleaned on a regular basis to maintain the sterility of the theatre,” he said.

Operating theatre nurse manager Rhodell Morris-Knott said staff welcomed the two-month renovation work as the environment is more comfortable.

“Theatre four is the smallest of the four suites that we have in the [operating room]. The works that were actually done were on the flooring and the walls just the same as in the passage way. The doors were changed. We are now moving from the board doors to the metal doors for this theatre suite,” she said.

“We started the renovation process in November and we ended in the latter part of January. Overall the staff are impressed with the outcome of the work. We are seeing where the improvement has lifted our spirit…” she added.

Miller said the renovation was done during the period of general servicing of the theatres in December.

“… We [usually] stop for a few weeks leading up to Christmas to do cleaning, restoration of electrical, plumbing systems, ventilation systems… We went a little further to do the restoration of the walls and flooring. At the end of the day we are in a better position in terms of the functioning of the theatre and its ability to stay up for the entire year with minimal disruptions,” he said.

He apologised for the delays in some surgeries affected by the renovation.

“Some surgeries were rescheduled during the December [to], January period and since the theatre has resumed they have been going full speed ahead. We use this opportunity to explain to our patients, because we know that they were disturbed and their surgeries rescheduled, but it is necessary for us to do this activity to ensure we have continuity of services,” he said.

One of four main operating theatres recently renovated at Mandeville Regional Hospital. (Photo: Kasey Williams)