Ombudsman gives Coast General Hospital seven days to explain deadly oxygen supply cut

The hospital said that 81-year-old Kimanzi Mwangi, Tito Mutua (45) and Mariam Chai died on April 2 following an oxygen supply disruption caused by a scheduled maintenance on the facility's oxygen plant.

CAJ argues that the incident was a violation of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act, which provides guidelines on professional standards and ethical duties.

"Adding to this concern, the reported refusal of emergency medical care. with specific allegations that nurses present were merely running around without providing assistance could constitute a severe breach of professional conduct particularly given the fatal outcome," said CAJ Chairperson Charles Duo in a statement.

CAJ now wants the hospital to release a detailed report detailing all planned maintenance activities for its oxygen plan up to the day of the incident as well as all procedures before executing the oxygen supply disruption. 

"Were there any alternative oxygen supply systems in place during the scheduled maintenance period? If so, why were they allegedly insufficient or not utilized effectively?" added the statement in part.

CAJ further demanded details on treatment protocols, policies and enforcement mechanisms used in maintaining critical medical equipment and also investigation procedures undertaken after the reported deaths.

The hospital's CEO has been tasked to detail the disciplinary actions that will be taken on the involved staff members and any planned preventive measures to avert the recurrence of similar incidents.