One Dead in Fire in Hospital

Officials investigating whether defibrillator being used ignited something in room

By Dan Hounsell


While fire safety is a top priority in all types of institutional and commercial facilities, healthcare settings present facility managers with an added level of potential fire-related safety threats to occupants.

Houston police are investigating the death of a patient at a Kingwood hospital after she was badly burned in a fire as medical staff used a defibrillator on her, according to ABC 13. Denise Jill Asaro, 69 died at the hospital, where she was being treated for COVID-19.

Hospitalized on the fifth floor of the North Tower at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood, Asaro was being resuscitated with a defibrillator when something caught fire and caused a small explosion. Officials are investigating whether the defibrillator being used ignited something in the room. They were also looking into the presence of an open medical oxygen tank as a possible factor.



July 7, 2021


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Ambulatory Care Facilities Reshape FM Strategies

Facilities management playbooks were written for acute care facilities, but ambulatory sites require a different approach.


Intermountain Foundation Receives $150M Gift for Children's Hospital in Nevada

Intermountain Health Felicia and Ben Horowitz Children’s Hospital is expected to open in 2030 at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park in southwest Las Vegas.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Wichita Falls State Hospital

The $452 million, 225-bed replacement hospital will provide inpatient psychiatric care and is expected to be completed in late 2027.


Preparing Healthcare Facilities for Wildfire Air Quality Events

Wildfire smoke puts pressure on mechanical systems already working hard to maintain controlled indoor environments.


UW Health Set to Open Expansion at East Madison Hospital

The $140 million project adds 120,000 square feet to the hospital, expanding its footprint to roughly 620,000 square feet.


 
 


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.