Faulty Valve Label Cited in Deaths of Two Patients

Hospital says issue was oxygen valve mistakenly turned off during maintenance


Two patients died last month after a temporary disruption in the oxygen supply to the intensive care unit and a non-critical care unit at Doctors Community Hospital Center in Lanham, Maryland, according to Fox 5 DC.

A hospital spokesperson said that on Jan. 15, after the disruption, the hospital's team immediately deployed portable oxygen tanks to these patients.

"We quickly identified and corrected the issue – an oxygen valve had mistakenly been turned off during maintenance,” according to the statement. “This was an isolated event due to faulty valve labeling. We have taken action to prevent a similar occurrence in the future and have engaged outside experts as part of this review. Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is committed to continuous improvement and providing the highest quality care to the communities we serve."

Click here to read the article.



February 2, 2021


Topic Area: Safety


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