Radiology suite equipment failure results in patient death

A UK hospital patient bled to death during an operation after medics accidentally hit an emergency power off button with a cart

By Healthcare Facilities Today


A UK hospital patient bled to death during an operation after medics ­accidentally hit an emergency power off button with a cart, according to an article on the The Mirror website.

Staff scrambled to switch the electricity back on but the man was dead by the time it was running again. A senior NHS source said: “While this is an extremely rare event, it remains completely unacceptable. Hospitals have to learn lessons,” according to the article.

He was one of 39 patients who died or suffered serious harm in the past two years due to issues with the facilities, Freedom of ­Information Act figures revealed. A report of the ­incident said: “Although none of the involved clinicians felt the accidental pressing of the emergency power off button changed the outcome, the radiology suite has had a cage placed over the button,” the article said.

In another serious incident a patient was found not breathing while a ­hospital’s emergency bleep system failed, the article said. There was no alert to say it was down and experts did not receive desperate pager messages calling them to him.

Read the article.

 

 

 



November 13, 2013


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Spaces That Support: Patient-Centered Design for Modern Reproductive Health

Modern facilities must integrate highly specialized laboratories with thoughtful, patient-centered spaces that prioritize privacy, comfort and emotional well-being.


Modernization of Buildings Require Collaboration Across All Disciplines

Retrofitting outdated facilities requires consulting all departments on how to best improve operations.


Children's Health Announces Plans for RedBird Specialty Center in Texas

The system expects to welcome its first patients in December 2027.


How Can Healthcare Facilities Use Efficiency to Drive Climate and Health Goals?

Keith Edgerton discusses how the Health Care Energy & Water Efficiency Checklist helps healthcare connect operational savings with their mission to protect people and the planet.


El Camino Health Rehabilitation Hospital Officially Tops Out

This new 64,000-square-foot, 52-bed inpatient facility in Sunnyvale, California, will enhance rehabilitation services in Santa Clara County.


 
 


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.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.