IT is ironic that six patients of the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru should die in a fire. Unable to help themselves, initial reports suggest that the fire spread too fast for any effective rescue to be mounted, not even by firemen. Only one of the seven patients was rescued alive, and then rushed to another hospital. Several staff were also injured. By all accounts, the sprinkler system worked, but one would have thought that the nature of an ICU — where patients were all on ventilators, meaning oxygen, a potential fire hazard — would mean that more was needed, like staff trained to use fire extinguishers, and that the unit would have one near to hand at every bed. But thankfully, the fire was effectively contained by the large contingent of firemen, although it took some doing.
Granted this is the first ever such occurrence; a hospital fire. Nevertheless, it is definitely a case of one too many. Unfortunately, the lesson had to be learned in such a hideous way. Obviously, safety standards are left wanting and did not take into account the special needs of some parts of the building. Given the building’s age, when was the last time fire-prevention measures were upgraded and how closely do hospitals work with the Fire and Rescue Department for this purpose? For instance, how often does the Fire and Rescue Department inspect the buildings to ensure that safety standards are adhered to religiously? Hospitals are where the sick and, by definition weak, go to seek treatment. It is also the place when some hope to get well after treatment or surgery. Those admitted are ones not expected to be able to fend for themselves during any emergency. Surely, this is the premise upon which all safety is built. Buying time so that patients can be moved out of harm’s way must be the objective. Large doors, wide aisles and clear, uncluttered corridors are, for instance, a must so that beds can be pushed out quickly. Yes, fire drills would be disruptive, but this reality must be accommodated and staff trained to manage.
The firemen arrived to a unit already filled with smoke. How much time transpired between the outbreak of the fire and their arrival is not specified. It can be safely assumed that they raced to the scene once alerted. They managed to save one patient. How the fire started is still being investigated. One assumes that there was no open fire anywhere near the ICU, given the presence of high levels of oxygen. One presumes, too, that the electricity cables are of the most modern and that wall sockets are not overloaded so that a short circuit is unlikely. And, that all machines are regularly serviced and are unlikely to cause any sparking. In short, everything possible has been effected to prevent a fire outbreak. But, there was a fire and it killed six and injured the staff. Something went horribly wrong and must be identified and then rectified. Should human failing be the cause, then a head, if not heads, must roll. This is unforgivable.