Pa. Hospital Patient Suffering Third-Degree Burns In Operating Room Fire

Patient files suit against the UPMC Susquehanna’s Williamsport Regional Medical Center


A Lycoming County, Pa., man burned in a fire while undergoing surgery has sued the hospital, two doctors, a nurse and an anesthesia firm, according to an article on the Penn Live website.

The man was burned in October of 2019, while undergoing surgery at UPMC Susquehanna’s Williamsport Regional Medical Center for the removal basal cell carcinomas.

The suit said oxygen used during the basal cell extraction of a right temple lesion was ignited by the use of Bovie cautery. 

Evans suffered first- second and third-degree burns to the face, second- or third-degree burns to the left chest wall, blistering on two fingers of the left hand and right eye issues.

Fires are not common but not unheard of in operating rooms. A New York City hospital was cited for its apparent failure to implement an operating room fire prevention plan, according to an article in the Outpatient Surgery website.  Miscommunications between a surgeon and an anesthesiologist was blamed for a flash fire that burned a patient.

Read the full Penn Live article.

 

 

 



September 16, 2020


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Designing for the Psychology of Waiting

A well-designed waiting room does more than fill time — it eases the patient experience and creates a more functional healthcare environment.


UT Health Sciences Breaks Ground on College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building

Construction is expected to be substantially completed in 2029, with full occupancy by 2030.


Vandalia Health, Mary Free Bed Break Ground on New Rehabilitation Hospital

The new hospital will feature three stories and more than 93,000 square feet dedicated to comprehensive rehabilitation services.


Why New Era of Care Demands an Ambulatory Facilities Approach

The shift from hospital-centric to ambulatory care has outpaced most health systems’ operating models, creating urgency for a new facilities management playbook.


ClearSky Health Plans New Medical Rehabilitation Hospital in North Carolina

The hospital will provide specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabling injuries or illnesses.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.