NY Hospital Launching Investigation After Patient Allegedly Set on Fire During Surgery
- Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:31pm by
Erica Ritz
- Print »
- Email »
A dramatic re-enactment shows how the fire could have started (Photo: ECPI)
Dr. Jay Yelon, the chief of surgery of New York’s Lincoln hospital, was performing a tracheotomy on an unconscious Enrique Ruiz when his electronic scalpel– which reportedly gives off tiny sparks– came too close to the man’s oxygen supply. The result? According to hospital insiders, a “minor explosion.”
Before awaking, Ruiz suffered severe burns on his neck and chest.
“I felt like my chest was on fire,” he told his brother.
The New York Post continues:
Sources at the South Bronx hospital charge a whitewash, saying Yelon failed to mention the patient’s burns in a post-surgery report; he claimed the flames were extinguished with “no danger to the patient.”
“I don’t know anything about it,” Yelon repeatedly told The Post, refusing to answer any questions or acknowledge his role.
Such mishaps that harm patients must be reported immediately to the state Health Department. Spokesman Peter Constantakes first said the Lincoln incident was reported as harmless, but later confirmed, “There was a fire and burns. We’re looking into it.”
Ruiz is expected to make a full recovery, particularly since he just underwent a life-saving medical procedure.
One doctor reportedly remarked on the explosion: “That happens sometimes. It’s not unusual,” he said, adding that it was “like a sunburn.”
“It’s a burn burn!” Ruiz’s brother allegedly retorted. “He’s in pain!”
The Post concludes: “About 500 to 600 surgical fires occur each year nationwide, said Mark Bruley, a leading expert on the hazard. About 25 to 30 suffer severe burns or “gross facial disfigurement,” and several have burned to death, he said.”
A non-profit that consults on patient safety, the ECRI Institute, maintains that “virtually all surgical fires are preventable.”
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 711 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 563 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 387 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 378 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 364 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 378 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 387 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 316 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 378 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (41)
VanceUppercut
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:34pmObama did it!!!
Report Post »yiska8
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:10pmEver notice when doctors screw up, they immediately cover and minimize. It wasn‘t the surgeon’s neck and chest burned. I hope Mr. Ruiz is ok and gets an attorney. This case is not frivilous so he may be able to get a decent settlement in NY.
Report Post »cantstandlibs
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:17pmI smell bar-be-cue. What’s for lunch?
Report Post »oldchevyguy
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:19pmEnrique Ruiz !
Report Post »Mathchopper
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:40amOxygen doesn’t burn. It aids burning. (Chemistry 101) So what was it that caught on fire. Perhaps his skin nearby the spark.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:10amMost anesthesia is generally very flammable, and is administered along with oxygen typically. If there is ever a flash fire of any sort, the patients lungs could easily be roasted in milliseconds. Surgery is not without risks, but using a cauterizing tool without ventilation in the immediate area is just plain foolish. Just ask Grissom, White, and Chaffee. Our atmosphere is 21% oxygen, and not more, for a reason. That reason being that if it goes higher than that, everything burns like mad, thus consuming the extra oxygen. It is a natural feedback mechanism.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:09amKind of reminds me of the “shat hippens” story I read regarding the electronic cigarettes where the batteries in some are blowing up in people’s mouths taking their teeth out.
Report Post »Razlord
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 8:24amyep, not a good alternative to kicking the habit.
Report Post »SerikFox
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:08amSurgery suddenly went way up on my list of “Things I never want to do or have done to me” lol
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:56amIf the patient is an illegal – too bad. patch him up and send him back where he came from. He should not have been getting treatment in the USA.
If it was 1st degree burns – like a sunburn – he should not be able to sue. A 2nd degree has blisters like a bad sunburn – now getting to sue catagory but not for much because there will be no scars and it will heal quick.
Report Post »VanceUppercut
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:31pm@LameLiberals
Yes, he has a Spanish-sounding name so he must be ab illegal. But don’t worry folks, I’m sure that cops in Arizona will use a much more sophisticated system to decide if they suspect that someone is an illegal.
Report Post »Mrs. Bowers
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:49pmRemember the Black Knight in The Holy Grail? It’s just a scratch!
Report Post »teddie888
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:11amReally??? It happens all the time?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:12pmReminds me of a sceen from… “Logan’s Run” :)
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:05amClassic .. the plastic surgery .. with Farrah Fawcett.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:49pmI will put it this way; the investigation had best be thourogh across the board of all those involved, including the report not mentioning the burns on the patient; and the surgeon and hospital be ready for a medical lawsuit to come down hard and fast.
Report Post »HotFixIt
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:48pmStandard hospital procedure will not include any mention of anything that went wrong in the medical record. I am sure there is a a separate incident report that the patient and family are not aware was prepared of the event. The hospital keeps that private but it is there. Every medical person knows to NEVER write anything incriminating in the official medical record… it is drilled into all medical personel repeatedly how to NOT write things that can be interpreted and used in a lawsuit.
Report Post »HotFixIt
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:48pmEvery nurse and surgical team is tought the danger of allowing oxygen to collect under the surgical drapes. This is the result of high flow oxygen collecting during the procedure when appropriate precautions were not taken. I can’t understand how free oxygen was available, the patient should have had a secure airway such as intubated so there should not have been free available oxygen for this to happen…. mistakes were definitely made.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:36pmEnrique Ruiz. You got free health care. How ya like it
Report Post »yiska8
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:04pmThis can happen whether you have insurance or not! Rich or poor, if you get the wrong doctor or nurse and carelessness combined and your screwed.
Report Post »VanceUppercut
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:33pm@dealer@678
“Enrique Ruiz. You got free health care.”
And you know this how?
Report Post »M13
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:30pm“Dr.Encinom”? “Yes Nurse Monicne.“ ”What does F-L-A-M-M-A-B-L-E spell?”
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:29pmJust trying to burn the evidence after they steal your tonsils… right, Obama?
Report Post »powedj
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:24pmIt‘s George Bush’s failt.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:16pmPlease tell me that is isn’t normal protocol to use a cauterization tool in the presence of oxygen and fuel (the patient’s tissue)! I‘d wonder if the burns didn’t make their way into his lungs!
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:18pmIt happens more often than you think.
Report Post »SevenTrumpets42
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:15pmThis could have been prevented with the old fashioned stainless surgical steel scalpel.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:49pmyes but that would be cost effective and not new and fun. patient safety plus common sense? no way not these days
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:13pm“Only you can prevent surgical fires?” Says Smokie the Surgeon.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 6:22amLoL
Report Post »inferno
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:10pmWhat’s that smell coming from the OR ?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:25pmAlright! Who let the dinosaur in the room?
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:56pmThey must have been operating on him for extreme flatulence and the gas escaped and caused an explosion. Tough one.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:53pmSounds like the doctor has a bad case of selective amnesia
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:49pmThis would not have happened under Obamacare, Lifesaving measures? Who needs them.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:41pmWell, he shouldn’t have to worry about infections…
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:34pmOops.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:29amgood thing he didn’t fart…….
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:10amTrue that! :)
Report Post »