Elderly dementia patient dies from alcohol poisoning after downing a bottle of hospital hand sanitiser
A coroner has now warned NHS chiefs the gels could kill vulnerable patients
A HOSPITAL dementia patient died from alcohol poisoning after drinking hand sanitiser.
John Haughey, 76, downed a large amount of the 75 per cent alcohol gel.
The OAP, who had become increasingly confused over nine months, took it from a dispenser at the foot of his bed.
A coroner has now warned NHS and health and safety chiefs that the gels could kill other vulnerable patients unless kept out of their reach.
Prof Paul Marks wrote to them: “There is a risk future deaths will occur.
“There’s a tension between preventing infection and the possibility of confused patients consuming preparations used to clean clinicians’ hands.
“There’s increasing awareness about the desirability of hand hygiene and the need to prevent infection. "Alcohol-based hand washing gels are found in many public buildings.
“While incidents such as this are rare, similar tragedies could occur given the ubiquitous presence of hand gels.
“Action should be taken to prevent future deaths. NHS England has the power to take such action.”
The amount of alcohol in Mr Haughey's blood was six times the legal limit.
He also suffered bronchopneumonia in the September 2015 tragedy at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Kingston coroner Prof Marks issued a narrative verdict.
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He also gave NHS England chief Simon Stevens and Richard Judge, head of the the Health and Safety Executive, until Monday to tell him what action they will take.
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has now put locks on gel dispensers to stop them being removed. Staff also carry personal bottles.
A spokesman said: “This is a very tragic case. We’d like to offer condolences to his family.
“It is subject of a legal claim so it would be inappropriate to comment further.”