RIYADH — There is no link between the death of a woman and the sudden failure of oxygen cylinders at Hail General Hospital, according to a medical committee investigating the case. The committee, headed by the director general of hospitals at the Ministry of Health, was formed by Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Minister of Health. The committee visited Hail General Hospital and read medical reports of all ICU patients, including the victim's. It checked the medical procedures that were taken at the time, met with medical staff and inspected cleaning and maintenance work done in the ICU, a ministry statement noted. The committee concluded that no link between the patient's death and sudden failure of oxygen cylinder could be established. The committee recommended ICU specialists study the patient's medical records to ensure that proper medical procedures were followed. The ministry's officials who were on vacation and are connected with the case will be questioned. Snaf International Company, a subcontractor for the hospital, has been held responsible for the failure of oxygen cylinders inside the ICU. The company's trained employee who is responsible for watching and changing oxygen cylinders was not available at the time of the accident. Snaf has now been banned from participating in any tenders offered by the ministry and the current cleaning and maintenance contract between the company and the hospital has also been canceled. The company will bear the expense of purchasing any items mentioned in the contract. This has been confirmed in a circular sent to all concerned authorities. The ministry's maintenance department will inspect the gas cylinders and safety measures inside the hospital. The committee's conclusions and recommendations have been approved and will be implemented.
