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

Two Steps to Controlling the Hot Zone

Strategy for disrupting dry-surface biofilm begins with a simple premise: You cannot disinfect what you cannot reach.


RiverSpring Living Breaks Ground on River's Edge Senior Living Community

Occupancy is expected in December 2028.


Encompass Health Reveals Plans to Build Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Post Falls, Idaho

The hospital is expected to open in 2028 and will be part of Encompass Health's national network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals.


Creating Compassionate Spaces in Healthcare

A new bereavement room at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan NICU aims to provide peace and privacy for families.


Study Shows Connection Between Odor and Patient Experience

A 2024 study identifies the top smells in hospital waiting rooms and how they impact the patient and visitor experience.


 
 


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.