Explosion warning as more than 100 incidents of patients and visitors smoking near oxygen tanks in hospitals reported

Over 180 incidents resulted in harm to either patients, visitors or staff. Four serious incidents associated with smoking in the five-year period led to severe harm or death of patients.

A HSE patient safety supplement, produced in 2023, noted it was 'especially concerning' that over 100 of these reports related to patients or visitors lighting cigarettes while using, or being close to, oxygen.

Incidents of patient harm due to smoking following application of alcohol gel were also highlighted. Ongoing challenges are encountered when patients leave health services to have a cigarette.

The HSE said that 'stop smoking' clinical guidelines were published by the Department of Health's national clinical effectiveness committee in January 2022, recommending healthcare professionals to ask about smoking status.

Read at Irish Independent