Press Releases

Statement from Seattle Children’s on Main Campus Operating Rooms

We frequently test the air in every OR and can confirm the operating rooms at Seattle Children’s are safe.

As the only nonprofit, independent hospital focused 100% on providing hope, care and cures for children in our region, our entire team is united in our commitment to achieve the best possible health outcomes for all families, irrespective of their ability to pay. This has been our legacy and calling for 113 years and we will continue to build on this by searching for and delivering innovative cures and empathetic care for years to come so every child may live their healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.  

In 2019, we shared that we would temporarily close of 10 our operating rooms in order to install a new rooftop air handling unit and in-room HEPA filtration systems in each OR. Our HEPA systems are state of the art, extremely effective and remove more than 99.97% of particles from the air that passes through the filter. We frequently test the air in every OR and can confirm the operating rooms at Seattle Children’s are safe. In addition to regular maintenance, periodic enhancements and ongoing air testing, in the event we see unexpected test results we take the swift and necessary action to close ORs.

We are humbled and grateful for the ongoing trust and partnership from parents and families and the greater community whose generous support helps us deliver on our mission.

About Seattle Children’s

Seattle Children’s mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Together, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Research Institute and Foundation deliver superior patient care, identify new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and raise funds to create better futures for patients.

Ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country. As one of the nation’s top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children’s Research Institute is internationally recognized for its work in neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious disease, injury prevention and much more. Seattle Children’s Foundation, along with Seattle Children’s Guild Association – the largest all volunteer fundraising network for any hospital in the country – works with our generous community to raise funds for lifesaving care and research.

For more information, visit seattlechildrens.org or follow us on TwitterFacebook, LinkedInInstagram or on our On the Pulse blog.