Fumes Coming From Patient Cause Doctor, Nurse to Faint
A doctor and nurse treating a patient in cardiac arrest were felled by fumes coming from the patient, and the hospital was forced to close its emergency room, authorities said Sunday.
The doctor and nurse were in stable condition at Riverside General Hospital, nursing supervisor Dolly Suban said. Four other medical staff members were treated and released at area hospitals.
The 31-year-old female patient--who had been undergoing chemotherapy cancer treatment at home--died. An autopsy was pending.
Fumes from the patient forced Riverside General to move seven emergency room patients into a parking lot Saturday night. Four patients were transferred to other hospitals.
Officials said the doctor and nurse were drawing blood from the woman when they noticed white crystals in it and smelled a substance like ammonia. Then they passed out.
Their names were not released.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
