Research conducted at Coonabarabran Hospital led to the implementation of filters in every operating theatre across NSW.

Who knew a guinea pig, an operating theatre light and the Coonabarabran Hospital all had something in common?

In the sixties, research was conducted by Doctor Robin Fraser and nurse Bev Rayner, in response to an incident where a patient received burns during operation.

The late Dr Fraser ruled out other elements in the operating theatre and devised the best method to measure heat emissions from the theatre light.

His method was to use a guinea pig, as a way to measure the temperature of the light and its effect on the black-and-white patches of the animal.

The experiment had to be conducted over a weekend because the hospital’smatronatthe time would not have allowed the operating theatres to be used in such a manner.

Mrs Rayner was enlisted by Dr Fraser to measure the guinea pig’s temperature under the light, ensuring the animal was not exposed long enough to be burned.

“Dr Fraser was trying to prove that there was no control over the heat of the light on various surfaces, and that a filter over the light could mean the heat was more controlled,” Mrs Rayner said.

“Nursing is all about looking after the patient as a whole. In operating theatres, it is especially important to look out for a patient’s temperature.

“His research was necessary and led to all operating- theatre lights in NSW being fitted with a filter. Following the experiment he would have had to submit papers for further investigation.”

Dr Fraser migrated to New Zealand after his time in Coonabarabran and became a foundation staff member of the Christchurch School of Medicine in 1974.

Year later, he then became the director of the Canterbury Medical Research Foundationandin2006 he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to medical research.

Due to the ground-breaking research conducted at Coonabarabran Hospital, patients are now kept safe and warm during surgery – but not too warm!