Baby burns to death in hospital
PARKTOWN - In May this year, a new born baby was allegedly burnt to death in Charlotte Maxexe Academic Hospital.
This according to Jack Bloom, the DA member of the executive committee in the Gauteng legislature.
It was confirmed by Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in a written reply that the incident occurred.
The baby was suffering from jaundice, a temporary, common and treatable condition found in some newborns and is ameliorated through placing the baby underneath a phototherapy lamp in an incubator.
Although the equipment was inspected and no faults could be found, it was concluded that human error caused the death of the baby. Allegedly the staff was negligent and had left the baby under the phototherapy lamp for too long.
The department has taken numerous steps concerning this incident. Staff involved were suspended as a part of a disciplinary action and taken to the South African Nursing Council. Parents and staff were offered counselling. In addition, protocols were revised and communication between staff in the ward was improved.
Furthermore, biliblankets, which filter out ultraviolet and infrared energy, are to be procured for proper heat regulation in phototherapy.
