Woman's face catches on fire during surgery

[sinkingfeeling]

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/02/9168719-womans-face-catches-on-fire-during-surgery

It was supposed to be a routine outpatient surgery to remove some growths from Kim Grice’s head. But something went horribly wrong during the Tuesday morning procedure and a flash fire seared Grice’s face and neck.

The 29-year-old mother of three was rushed by helicopter to the University of South Alabama Burn Unit with burns to her face and neck.

What happened to Kim Grice was not an isolated incident. Experts estimate that each year 650 fires flare up in operating rooms around the country. Some patients recover with scars and emotional damage. Some die from burns and smoke inhalation.

These days more and more operations use electro-cautery devices and lasers. Those devices are what Dr. David Cowles calls the “trifecta” of elements – oxygen, alcohol prep and an ignition source - that lead to flash fires in the OR.

The FDA launched a new initiative to prevent surgical fires, noting that though these are rare events, they are also highly preventable. The agency convened a special workshop to look for ways to stop fires from ever happening and to give medical personnel the tools and knowledge needed to deal with a fire if one occurs.

[MADem]

1. 650 fires flare up in operating rooms around the country??? Why is this NEWS?

How many people have to get flamed in operating rooms before someone takes notice?

If they're so "highly preventable" one would think the number would be closer to zero, eh?

I guess MSNBC and the NBC news franchise will be flogging this story like a recalcitrant mule on the TV, now!

[CanSocDem]

2. More evidence....

...that more people die in a hospital than get well.


.

[kestrel91316]

3. Sounds like folks are in too big of a hurry to let the alcohol dry for a couple

of minutes before proceeding. Maybe 70% rather than 90% isopropyl alcohol if that's what they have been using.