Mission Hospital operating rooms closed after infections

Five operating rooms at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach were temporarily closed to elective surgeries after patients at a neighboring facility suffered infections.

The Joint Commission, which certifies agencies for Medicare and Medicaid funding, threatened to deny the hospital its accreditation — citing an immediate threat to the health or safety of patients and the public — following a site visit Oct. 8, commission spokeswoman Katie Looze wrote in an email.

Four patients suffered infections in one room at different times at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo in early July, so hospital officials decided to close operating rooms at both locations to elective surgeries as a precautionary step, said James Keany, Mission Hospital’s associate director of emergency services.

Both Mission Hospital locations are part of the St. Joseph Hoag Health Alliance.

Tests identified an “unusual” type of bacteria in the non serious-infections, though the bacteria’s origin is unknown, Keany said.

“We’ve identified the issues, which center around temperature and humidity control, and already initiated steps to solve the problem,” Keany added.

Emergency operations will continue at both hospitals.

Hospital officials have 23 days from Oct. 8 to come into compliance, Keany said.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce