Westmead Hospital checks gas outlets after baby dies at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital

MEDICAL gas outlets at Westmead Hospital have been checked after two babies were given the wrong gas at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.

A baby died at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital after its lungs were accidentally filled with nitrous oxide instead of oxygen. Picture: Craig Greenhill

MEDICAL gas outlets at Westmead Hospital have been checked after the death of a newborn boy who was mistakenly given nitrous oxide at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.

Baby John Ghanem, who was supposed to receive oxygen, died less than an hour after being born at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on July 13.

Another baby is in a critical condition after also receiving nitrous oxide — known as “happy gas” — at the same hospital in June.

Westmead Hospital general manager Andrew Newton said patients should not be concerned about the hospital’s gas outlets.

“At Westmead Hospital, all gas outlets in areas that had been built or refurbished in the past five years were checked on Tuesday,” Mr Newton said.

“As per the relevant Australian standard, annual testing of pressure, flow and potential leaks of gas also occurs each year.

“At Westmead Hospital, testing has passed all requirements.

“We can assure our patients, visitors and staff that Westmead Hospital is compliant with the delivery of all medical gases.”

The gases at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hosptial were installed by BOC in July 2015, and the gas company has launched an internal inquiry to investigate why the gases were incorrectly connected.

Westmead Hospital has a contract with Air Liquide for the supply of medical gases and equipment.