By Healthcare Facilities Today

After three 2010 deaths at the St. Mary’s Villa care home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, an inquest jury returned four recommendations, including one suggesting the Saskatoon Health Region — which runs St. Mary’s Villa — install CO detectors in all of its facilities, not just buildings where people stay overnight.

On Dec. 26, 2010, carbon monoxide was inadvertently distributed into the home’s Dust Wing through the ventilation system. Twenty-four seniors, two visiting family members and five workers were later taken to hospital. The inquest reviewed the deaths of three seniors who were exposed to carbon monoxide that day, the article on The Star Phoenix website said.

Along with the CO detector recommendation, the jury also suggested on-site department heads and staff get more “cross-training between areas of expertise” to ensure better response to incidents. The jury also recommended monthly meetings with all department heads at all facilities to improve communication about potential issues.

Read the article.