RCMP stumped in hospital investigation

The police investigation into contaminated surgical tools at Kamloops' Royal Inland Hospital is winding down with little progress made so far, RCMP admit.

Kamloops RCMP were notified in April after hospital operating room staff discovered surgical instruments appeared to have been intentionally contaminated.

"We have interviewed in excess of 120 people," said Sgt. Gary Kerr. "It's been a long, tedious investigation and it was the type of investigation where we really didn't have a starting point."

Kerr said the case is not closed, however, "we don't have any suspect in mind [and] we have not made any arrests," he said.

It is the second time in five months that the hospital has had problems with its sterilization unit.

Royal Inland shut down its surgical ward for a week after glue and bone fragments were found on surgical tools that were supposed to have been cleaned and sterilized.

There was no suggestion at the time that the earlier contamination was intentional.