Smoking While on Oxygen Triggers Fire Inside New Jersey Hospital Ward
A New Jersey hospital caught fire over the weekend after an oxygen-using patient lit a cigarette, officials said. The event at Cooper University Hospital required fast staff intervention to protect patients and limit the situation.
The hospital’s inpatient section caught fire on Saturday, according to representatives. Medical and safety experts rapidly extinguished the fire to protect the patient. Staff response was quick and effective, preventing the situation from worsening, officials said.
Patients in adjoining rooms were moved for safety. Hospital officials said no other patients were hurt. Safety was the main reason for the move while the impacted area was secured and investigated.
The hospital did not disclose the patient’s condition due to privacy rules. Federal patient confidentiality laws prevented officials from disclosing whether the fire injured the patient.
Fire damage was remedied and repaired after the incident. Hospital officials expect these repairs to finish in a week. The facility is operating and treating patients despite the event.
Cooper University Health Care, which runs the hospital, informed patients that safety is its primary priority. The Camden-based academic medical center is linked with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
In New Jersey, the health system operates Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Cape Regional Hospital in Cape May Court House, and Children’s Regional Hospital in Camden. Cooper’s MD Anderson Cancer Center provides specialized cancer therapy.
Hospital officials did not say if they will enhance safety precautions after the incident. Smoking near oxygen equipment, which is highly combustible in hospital settings, is dangerous, as the event shows.
Sources
Cooper University Health Care (official statement)
