Electronic Device Chargers in the Hospital: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Case Reports
• Patient Safety
• Hospital-Acquired Infections

Background:

• Mobile phones and chargers are ubiquitous in hospitals, posing potential patient safety risks.
• While domestic incidents are reported, hospital-related injuries from chargers are under-documented.
• Electronic device use in healthcare settings necessitates a review of associated hazards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a severe case of a patient sustaining burns and infection from a mobile phone charger in a hospital.
• To discuss patient safety and risk management challenges related to mobile phone charger use in hospitals.
• To emphasize the scarcity of reported hospital-based incidents involving mobile phone chargers.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 31-year-old male patient with spastic paraplegia.
• Documentation of complications including skin burns, multiple hospitalizations, surgical interventions, and hospital-acquired infection.
• Analysis of patient safety and risk management issues in a general hospital setting.

Main Results:

• A second-degree burn occurred when a mobile phone charger cord was trapped beneath the patient.
• Complications included three hospitalizations and surgical interventions.
• A hospital-acquired infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria developed, requiring treatment.

Conclusions:

• Patient use of mobile phone chargers in hospitals can lead to severe adverse events.
• Healthcare facilities must address the risks associated with electronic devices to ensure patient safety.
• Further attention and protocols are needed for managing mobile phone charger-related risks in hospital environments.