ALLISTON, ONTARIO - Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) has completed its investigation into X-ray Room #2, after concerns were expressed that the door of the room might not have been lined with lead. The final report confirms that although three walls within the room, as well as its door, do not contain lead, the existing materials are at a sufficient level to protect against excessive radiation scatter and, therefore, do not pose any health risks to patients and staff. "Receiving final confirmation that the existing room does not pose any potential health risks to patients or staff is very reassuring news for our entire healthcare team," stated Gary Ryan, Interim President and CEO. During the month long investigation, SMH worked closely with the Ministry of Health's X-ray Inspection Branch, the Ontario Ministry of Labour Radiation Protection Services, and a specialist in radiation physics. A series of detailed tests were conducted in the diagnostic imaging department to identify and analyze construction materials and to test whether the radiation scatter that results from X-Ray procedures were at an acceptable level. The final report has confirmed that levels of barium are present in the plaster that was used during the construction of the room. The barium, together with the thickness of the walls, indicate that the room's energy response is strong enough to provide sufficient absorption of radiation scatter. Although the investigation verifies that X-ray Room #2 has not posed any health risks to date, it will remain closed until such time as it has been renovated to meet today's legislated lead shielding standards.

"Our goal at Stevenson Memorial is to provide the highest standards of care for our community and so we won't be reopening X-ray Room #2 until we can meet that commitment. Patients continue to receive care using our other X-ray room to provide service," said Ryan.

A special hotline set up at (705) 434-5161 will remain active until Friday, December 21, 2007. Thereafter, questions or comments can be directed to the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Administration. Additional information is available on the SMH website at www.smhosp.on.ca