11-year-old Cancer Survivor Suffered from a Fire Accident in the Hospital
Posted on February 21, 2013 Written By: iadminlaw
An 11-year-old cancer survivor was burned in her bed at Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital yesterday. Ireland Lane suffered second and third degree burns to 19% of her body. She is a survivor of a rare childhood kidney cancer and was in the hospital for a check-up in regards to a fall and loss of consciousness that she had experienced the day before the fire. She was set to be released from the hospital on the day of the fire.
Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland, Oregon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
She has already undergone one surgery and will be having another skin graft surgery today. Apparently the fire was caused by the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, olive oil and her own creation of static electricity. The young girl had utilized the hand sanitizer that has ethyl alcohol to clean her hands and, according to her father, probably rubbed it on her olive oil-soaked shirt and the nightstand next to her bed. Her hair and head had olive oil on it because it is commonly used to remove the glue that holds electrodes to the scalp for an EEG exam. The oil had dripped onto her shirt after being applied to her scalp and head.
The fire easily ignited with these ingredients compounding the flammability of the situation. Since Lane had just learned about the effects of static electricity, she had been experimenting with shuffling her feet together to create sparks. This is probably what started the fire. After tests, it was revealed that the olive oil probably kept the fire in the enclosed area that was burnt.
Olive Oil (Photo credit: VancityAllie)
The child stated that she did not remember being on fire. Her birthday fell on the day of the fire, but she had to celebrate the day before because of another surgery.
The hospital announced that they were taking the findings seriously and adjusting their policies to ascertain that this kind of incident does not occur again. Olive oil is no longer being suggested for use by patients who are allergic to the common compound in the glue utilized for EEGs. Additionally, the supplying of hand sanitizer to patients is being discontinued.
Unfortunately, the hospital lapsed in judgment when neither nurses nor doctors enacted a code red for the fire and did not proceed to evacuate affected patients in the area of the fire.
Officials insist that hospitals and medical facilities in the area in Oregon are safe and that this was an unusual accident.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident that has caused personal injury, contact Accident Attorney’s Group.
