1. Oxygen Safety in the Home Mrs Elaine Pender Risk Advisor West Lancs. PCT

2. First Incident Fire occurred in Sheltered accommodation managed by West Lancashire District Council at 04.40 on 13 th March 2004. Elderly lady smoking in bed Oxygen concentrator equipment installed in home

5. June 2004 Incident reported to WLPCT by WLDC and an initial meeting held. WLDC unhappy with equipment fitted to their property without knowledge or consent Fire not thoroughly investigated Financial compensation for damage to property requested

6. Identified problems Over 500 Home Oxygen users in West Lancashire (all age groups) WLDC unaware that Oxygen can be and had been fitted without their knowledge or consent Fire Brigade attended a fierce blaze at 04.40. Did not know Oxygen on premises. It required 4 appliances in attendance to control the fire, Elderly neighbours evacuated and now frightened

7. Second Incident Bed bound patient Rescued by LF&RS Source of ignition –cigarette Patient using oxygen cylinders 80% room damaged 50% of remainder of property damaged

10. Third Incident Facial Burns up nose and in mouth Oxygen cylinder Mask off/cigarette in other hand

11. NO FATALITIES YET !! 2 properties destroyed 3 patients sustained burns No help nationally MHRA no action NPSA

12. Prescription Source Patients may be discharged on Oxygen therapy from the local hospital Patients may be discharged on Oxygen therapy from out of area specialist unit or hospital Patient may be prescribed Oxygen by the GP.

13. Oxygen Supply Source Oxygen may be delivered to the patients home by the pharmacist Relatives / Carers may collect from the pharmacist Delivery by BOC Oxygen concentrator installed

14. Who is giving the patient the information ? Not the hospital Not the GP Usually the pharmacist Maybe the oxygen company. Is the information patient friendly ?

15. What have we done ? Reported it to MHRA Reported it to NPSA Had across health economy working group Reported to SHA Consulted with Lancashire Fire and Rescue

16. Where are we at ? Formal Claim received and reported to NHSLA. Believe this to be a national problem. Anecdotal evidence that this is not an isolated incident Safety Leaflet produced

17. New Supplier Met with Air Products rep. Poor patient information blue /blue, small font Keen to take on board all our recommendations On going meetings to establish best practice

18. Ongoing Meetings With LFRS Hospital Trust Local Council Air Products Supplier

19. Churches Surgeries Hospital Road shows Health Promotion Displays District Nurses Where ever we can

20. Targets for the Future To ensure all users are aware of the risks To provide safety leaflets for all to understand Training to PCT staff by the Fire Service Consider air mattresses and their usage