Accreditation

Patient burned during heart surgery

Accreditation Connection, August 18, 2008

A patient having heart pacemaker surgery on June 24 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis was burned on her face, lips, and shoulder when a fire burst out from under the sterile drapes covering her body, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

State health investigators concluded that the fire most likely occurred because the surgeon used a cauterizing tool near the patient's nose tube, which violated safety protocols, and because oxygen had pooled beneath improperly draped sterile sheets.

Abbott reported the incident to the Minnesota Department of Health, and the report said that doctors and hospital staff involved in the incident have been "re-educated" on safety protocols.

To read the August 12 Star Tribune article, click here.

Comments

0 comments on “Patient burned during heart surgery

 

Most Popular

Related Articles