Minneapolis VA delays surgeries over unidentified substance

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minneapolis VA Medical Center is postponing some of its surgical procedures after an "unidentified substance" was detected in the hospital’s sterilizing equipment. Some surgeries will continue as scheduled, with VA staff utilizing other sterilizers that were not impacted.

Some cases will be referred to the University of Minnesota and Hennepin County Medical Center. Impacted patients were being contacted Wednesday.

Minneapolis VA Medical Center statement

“An as yet unidentified substance detected in sterilizing equipment at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center has been sent to a laboratory for analysis. Until the substance is identified and the equipment cleaned, inspected and certified, the Minneapolis VA is taking extra precautions and has rescheduled most surgeries for the remainder of the week. We are able to perform some cases at the medical center utilizing other sterilizers that were not impacted. Those urgent or emergent procedures we cannot do will be conducted through our academic partners at the University of Minnesota or in other local hospitals. Patients are being contacted today.”