Oxygen Flowmeter Cover Detaches, Injures Attender at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College
In a concerning incident at a government medical college in Thiruvananthapuram, an attender suffered a head injury on Friday after the plastic cover of an oxygen flowmeter accidentally detached and struck her. The accident occurred in the casualty wing, highlighting ongoing safety issues with medical equipment at state-run hospitals.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Response
The injured individual has been identified as Shereefa Beevi, who was promptly shifted to the trauma intensive care unit (ICU) following the mishap. Hospital authorities, including medical college superintendent Dr. C G Jayachandran, confirmed the incident and provided reassurance about her condition. "It was an emergency situation, and the flowmeter had to be regulated at the site. The injury is mild, and she is undergoing treatment," Dr. Jayachandran stated, emphasizing that Beevi is under close observation but the injury is not serious.
Understanding Oxygen Flowmeters and Their Risks
Oxygen flowmeters are critical medical devices used to regulate the flow of gases from dispensing equipment to patients. Typically, these systems are managed at centralized storage facilities in reticulated setups, but in certain emergency scenarios, regulation is performed directly at the site. This hands-on adjustment can sometimes lead to accidents if equipment malfunctions or parts become loose, as seen in this case.
A Pattern of Similar Incidents at Government Hospitals
This event is the latest in a troubling series of flowmeter-related accidents reported at government hospitals in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. In May 2025, a trainee anaesthesia technician sustained a head injury in a similar accident at the same medical college, with medical scans later revealing a minor skull fracture. Earlier, in March of that year, a nursing assistant at SAT Hospital suffered a serious eye injury after a flowmeter burst while she was checking oxygen levels. These repeated incidents raise significant concerns about equipment maintenance, safety protocols, and staff training in healthcare facilities.
Authorities have not yet announced specific measures to prevent future occurrences, but the pattern suggests an urgent need for review and reinforcement of safety standards. Patients and healthcare workers alike rely on these devices for life-saving treatments, making their reliability paramount. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring such accidents do not recur, safeguarding both medical personnel and patients in Kerala's public health system.
