Allina Hospitals & Clinics Engages National Experts To Investigate Nursery Fire

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 28 Jan 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Allina Hospitals & Clinics has hired national experts in fire investigation to work with federal, state and local authorities to investigate the fire that occurred in the nursery at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minn. on January 22. Flames spontaneously erupted in an infant warming bed injuring one infant named Maverick.

"First and foremost we are concerned about Maverick and his family. Our prayers are with them as they all heal. We have contacted the family to express our sympathy," said Penny Wheeler, M.D. Chief Clinical Officer, Allina Hospitals & Clinics.

Wheeler also commended Mercy staff, including the two nurses who were at the baby's bedside and saw the spontaneous eruption of flames. Within seconds, they extinguished the flames.

"We are extraordinarily proud of our nurses," said Wheeler. "They acted quickly and professionally, without regard for their own safety. If another few seconds had elapsed, the infant's injuries would have undoubtedly been more severe."

The attending neonatologist was nearby and also responded immediately to provide treatment. The baby was transferred to HCMC, which is regionally renowned for its specialized burn care.

"This appears to be a unique and isolated event," said Wheeler. "We are not aware of any other incident exactly like this. We don't know what caused this accident but Allina and Mercy Hospital are committed to finding answers and have immediately begun an investigation. A team of nationally- renowned experts has been assembled to lead the investigation in the interest of the families who entrust us with their care and the broader community. We are conducting a fair, impartial and thorough investigation."

Allina has retained one of the country's foremost experts in biomedical investigations, a biomedical engineer with the ECRI Institute, a non-profit organization, based in Pennsylvania.

In addition to assembling its own investigative team, Allina is coordinating its investigation with the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services, the Minnesota State Fire Marshall's Office, and the Coon Rapids Police and Fire Departments. The investigation is expected to take three to six months.

"If the investigation reveals any action that could prevent this in the future, we will take it immediately and make that information public," said Wheeler.

Mercy Hospital has a strong record of patient safety. Its Special Care Nursery accommodates up to nine infants. Seven infants were in the nursery at the time of the incident. Special Care Nursery staff are required to have specific skills and training that includes certification in neonatal resuscitation.

"In the days following this event, and in an abundance of caution and to reassure families, we have decided to transfer any infant at Mercy Hospital who needs continuous oxygen therapy to another facility," said Wheeler. "Because this was an extremely unusual event, we have no reason to discontinue use of continuous oxygen therapy elsewhere in Allina at this time."

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit health care system of hospitals, clinics and other patient care services that provides exceptional care to communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin and employs more than 22,000 people. Allina Hospitals & Clinics facilities, services and jobs can be found online at http://www.allina.com.