Hospitals and other large health care providers frequently have an assortment of expensive treatment equipment and specialized facilities. Some of those special facilities come with a degree of risk. For example, when the mother of a five-year-old boy brought him to an Oakland County health care facility to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, she probably expected a routine medical visit. Unfortunately, the unthinkable happened.
While the child was inside the hyperbaric chamber, an explosion occurred. The boy died, and his mother sustained injuries in the explosion as she was nearby during his treatment. This tragedy highlights the need for more medical safety standards in Michigan.
There is no licensing standard for hyperbaric treatment
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy equipment can be somewhat dangerous. It changes air pressure levels, which can cause people to lose consciousness or create other serious medical issues. High levels of oxygen are also flammable, which creates the risk of an explosion.
Unfortunately, Michigan does not currently have any licensing standards for the chambers used to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy. There are also no licensing requirements for the professionals operating these treatment facilities. Training oversights or issues with maintaining the equipment could help explain why a tragedy occurred in a modern medical facility while a child underwent a relatively standard medical procedure.
Small mistakes can have major consequences
Medical malpractice may involve a variety of different types of issues. Hiring untrained and inexperienced people to operate equipment may not be the safest practice for health care facilities. Delaying repairs, maintenance and equipment inspections can also lead to systems failing and causing tragic consequences. Those affected by questionable health care practices typically have the option of pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Doing so can provide them with compensation.
The financial consequences of a lawsuit can also force medical facilities to make better decisions about hiring, worker training and facility maintenance. High-profile cases can also inspire state regulators and lawmakers to take action. Hopefully, standards in Michigan may change to help prevent future incidents like this tragic situation.
Discussing injuries and other consequences sustained because of medical malpractice with a skilled legal team can help affected parties evaluate their options. Patients and their surviving family members may need to consider taking legal action to demand not just accountability but better safety standards.