Operating room lights burn patients at Oregon hospital

Hospital staff changes diffusers on the halogen lights but leaves out the filters


At least 10 patients at an Oregon hospital were burned because staff didn't replace filters on lights in three operating rooms, according to an article on The Columbian website.

Staff at Silverton Hospital changed diffusers on the halogen lights in September 2013 but left out the filters, hospital officials said. 

The first cases of skin burns came to the hospital's attention the following June and a hospital investigation pinpointed the cause five months later in November, the article said.

Halogen lamps emit ultraviolet light and must have filters. The filter is often incorporated into the bulb's glass, but some lamps require separate ones.

It took several months to figure out the cause of the burns, because the hospital initially looked at more common culprits: solutions used to prep skin before surgery, bandages or dressings used after surgery, and cautery devices used to stop bleeding during surgery.

Read the article.

 

 



January 27, 2015


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

UCI Health Set to Open First All-Electric Hospital

All-electric acute care hospital aims to help University of California’s goal of reducing 90 percent of total carbon emissions by 2045.


Ground Broken on Baptist Health Sunrise Hospital

The planned seven-story, 340,000-square-foot facility is expected to open to patients in 2029.


Rapid City Medical Center to Join Monument Health

The parties will perform further due diligence with the intention to sign definitive agreements and close on the transaction later this spring.


AI Adoption on the Rise Among Leaders

AI usage increased in all markets in the fourth quarter of 2025.


TriasMD Officially Opens DISC Surgery Center at Tarzana

At 10,930 square feet, DISC Surgery Center at Tarzana includes three high-technology operating rooms and 11 patient care bays.


 
 


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.