Thought this was interesting.  Can't imagine that it got so bad it resulted in her dying.  Maybe infection set in.  Truly bizarre and saddened for the pt and family.

http://news.aol.com/article/woman-dies-after-catching-fire-during/675219?icid=main|main|dl1|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fwoman-dies-after-catching-fire-during%2F675219

That's sad. I've heard about this happening a few times - it's infrequent but does happen - especially when you combine the use of a bovie (caudery pen that cuts through tissue and cauderizes it at the same time) and oxygen. We use them frequently for our bedside tracheostomies in the unit and they do come with a grounding pad you place on the patient to prevent electrical surge/sparks but I know I've seen it put on wrong or forgotten every now and then.

scary!

Wow, Well when studying for boards- I always got the question about what was most important in the OR and I always want to think infection but its always the fire hazard. Crazy huh!