Austin and Albert Lea Mayo Health Clinic Systems campuses have been working together to resolve errors with a central sterilization system used for sterilizing surgical equipment and instruments.

On July 9, the malfunction was identified on the Austin campus during routine testing. The malfunction has since interfered with upcoming and present surgeries.

Austin asked the Albert Lea campus for help to find the source of the malfunction. These campuses, plus the Rochester campus, have regularly worked together in the past.

Together the two have been determined to reach a solution, said Jennifer Levisen, Mayo Clinic Health Systems public affairs specialist.

“Our staff is working diligently and around the clock to fix the problem,” she said.

In the meantime, surgical patients in Austin were notified of the issue and chose to either delay their appointments to later times or to reschedule their surgeries to be done at the Albert Lea campus.

“The safety of our patients is always our primary focus,” Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin, said in a press release. “This situation is unfortunate, but I believe it shows the strength of Mayo Clinic Health System. Our campuses throughout the region are collaborating to meet the needs of our patients. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through this.”