Survey of Ethylene Oxide Handling in Nova Scotia Hospitals

Abstract

Ethylene oxide is a highly toxic gas commonly used to sterilize certain instruments in hospitals. A series of mishaps with this gas in hospitals in Nova Scotia raised the question of whether these accidents were random chance within otherwise sound health and safety programs or were indications of program deficiencies. To address this issue, the researchers decided to survey the ways in which hospitals were using this compound. The survey was done using a 166-question audit to assess equipment and programs and a 25-point questionnaire to assess training. The training of the staff that regularly used the ethylene oxide was found to be very good with respect to the workers' knowledge of the hazards of the gas. However, the hospitals were deficient in the areas of layout of equipment, ventilation, monitoring, work practices, emergency response, and medical surveillance. Overall, the researchers found systemic weaknesses in the way ethylene oxide was used and handled. Specific questions which addressed staff opinions about the systems currently in place demonstrated that the hospitals failed to recognize these weaknesses themselves. Thus, it was decided that regulatory action would be appropriate to ensure compliance with acceptable standards.