We had to watch a video once years ago at an annual training, on how a fire can start with an oxygen source and an electrical source present like a defibrillator. It was incredible how quickly it started and engulfed the whole patient. This old video should be shown at all hospitals. There was a case years ago where an OR patient caught fire from oxygen going under the drapes and the surgeon was using electrical cautery. The whole room panicked because the blaze and smoke was so intense, they ran out, leaving the patient to burn to death while under anesthesia. It was horrible. People become numb to what they are doing everyday on the job and forget the basics of safety.

One crucial thing that most healthcare providers forget during a code is to turn the oxygen off or place it well away from the patient when you are using the defibrillator. I am guessing that no one in the room did this, and they are the source of the explosion/fire. It only takes a second to shut it off then turn it quickly back on after defibrillation. Usually during a code, so many people are in the room, it becomes chaos and nobody is thinking about it. Hospitals should have annual training and emphasize this in their training that if you do not shut off the oxygen, you can start a fire. Assign one person during a code to handle the oxygen, one to do chest compressions, one to operate the defibrillator, one to start IVs and inject medications. If everyone has an assigned role on their team, accidents will be rare. I have seen codes where no one even removed the oxygen mask or shut off the oxygen at all; they were lucky that they didn't start a fire.

As a former student at Watts School of Nursing based out of Durham Regional, I can attest to the fine care provided there. It is a wonder that more fires are not started this way. In a code, electrical energy is delivered to the patient in a attempt to have the heart re- start in a stable rhythm. This is done while others are ventilating the patient with oxygen by necessity. Just another example where health care professionals risk their well-being when trying to save a life.

R.I.P

Ouch! Terrible accident for sure.

simple is so appropriate and your comment NOT appropriate....a life was lost ...show a little respect....

Well, now it looks fairly conclusive that it was not smoking-related.

@Scubagirl- I remember on my L&D rotation, a woman in active labor smoking in the bathroom of her room. *sigh*

And it is also very sad that some people apparently jumped to the conclusion that it was the fault of a psych patient. Mental illnesses will continue to be stigmatized as long as there are people who think like that. Actually, psych patients would be LESS likely to have something to light a fire because unlike other types of patients, psych patients can be legally searched and their belongings confiscated upon admission.

As a nurse, my heart goes out to all the health care workers and the patient involved. So sad.

WOW! I would have NEVER considered that as the cause. How horrible for all involved. Good job to the staff and condolences to all.

For those saying "how could anyone think patient was smoking?" Been there, seen it, taken cigs and matches away from patients in an ICU so it DOES happen and with no more details than we had this morning I think it was a somewhat logical assumption. Yes, it was an assumption-proven wrong this time.

I'm very sorry for the person who lost their life. It's very rare, but it does happen. The staff should be commended for taking care of the other patients and putting them first before their own safety.

I am a big fan of WRAL but I have to say I was very disappointed when your headlines read " One Killed " you made us sound like killers.To all the one's that yacked on about smoking..get a life !!! If you were not there then you have no right to assume !!!! I am proud to be part of the DRH Family....My prayers to family and friends of the deceased and injured..

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