The Danger of Surgical Fires

Surgical fires are largely underreported. However, they still result in serious or even fatal injuries. Because of the chemicals, machines, equipment and gases used during a surgical procedure there is the constant threat of a fire. The ECRI Institute reports that almost all surgical fires “ignite on or in the patient.” This potentially fatal situation can result when a medical professional makes a mistake during the surgical procedure. It could also occur due to negligence or inattention on the part of a member of the surgical team.
A fire is usually produced where there is a combination of heat, fuel and oxygen. During a surgery it is common for all of these elements to be present. Devices found in an operating room that can cause heat include defibrillators, heated probes, drills, light sources and lasers. Fuels that can feed a fire include hair, methane, linens, prepping agents and dressings. It only takes a moment of distraction or negligence for a fatal fire to occur.
There are many steps that doctors and hospitals should take to prevent such serious incidents. First and foremost, surgeons should communicate well and provide clear instructions to their teams before, during, and after the surgery. It would be in the patient’s best interests to choose a hospital that has a long record of successfully performing the type of surgery that it required. The goal is to find a surgeon whom you can trust and with whom you can have an open dialogue.
Surviving victims of surgical fires may pursue financial compensation for their losses and suffering by filing a medical malpractice claim. The family a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim against the hospital and surgeon seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost future income.
The New York personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have years of experience helping victims get just compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical negligence, call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com