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• Surgical Fires are Yet Another Risk Patients Face in New York Hospitals

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Surgical Fires are Yet Another Risk Patients Face in New York Hospitals

Fire in the operating room? That sounds far-fetched, but the truth of the matter is that it is a very real danger that patients face every time they have surgery in New York. The hazard is so great that in June 2003, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) released an alert bulletin to raise awareness in preventing surgical fires.

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, "Fire in the Operating Room," there are about 650 surgical fires in United States hospitals each year. While burns resulting from surgical fires are a lower risk when compared to hospital-acquired infections, these instances can lead to catastrophic injuries. The Wall Street Journal article mentions horrific cases, which paint a gruesome picture of the seriousness of hospital fires:

“An electrical spark from a surgical tool sets off a fire in the breathing tube of a young tonsillectomy patient. A hot particle from a bassinet warmer ignites flames that burn a newborn baby. A nicotine patch on a patient undergoing an MRI scan becomes so hot the patient is burned and the test halted.”

There are many factors that can lead to serious burns at hospitals, including the oxygen-rich environment in the operating room, lasers, overheated IV solution bags, surgical ointments and even sensors in MRI machines. Measures can often be taken by the hospital staff to prevent devastating fires.

If you have been the victim of a surgical fire or burns that occurred at a New York hospital, you may have a New York medical malpractice claim. It is important that you talk with an experienced Long Island medical malpractice attorney who can review your case and discuss your legal options.

Contact the Long Island medical malpractice lawyers at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today at 800.734.9445. We have the experience and resources to help you build a strong case against the negligent medical provider.

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