NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner says the incorrect installation of a gas outlet at a southwestern Sydney hospital is behind a "devastating error" which has left one baby dead and another severely affected.
The newborns were mistakenly treated with nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas", instead of oxygen after the wrong gas was dispensed through the neonatal resuscitation gas outlet at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.
Ms Skinner said she was "profoundly sorry" for the families of the babies, who were born in the last two months.
"I deeply regret these families have suffered through such a devastating error. NSW Health will do all it can to support them," Ms Skinner said in a statement.
The error was discovered last Thursday when a pediatrician raised concerns following the death of one of the babies, she said.
An oxygen machine in one of the hospital's theatres was incorrectly installed and certified by gas supplier BOC Limited in July last year, the minister said.
The faulty outlet has been corrected but the operating theatre will remain closed.
A review of Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital's records has found no other babies received the incorrect gas, Ms Skinner said, while the hospital's seven other theatres have been checked and deemed safe.
NSW Health lawyers are now seeking urgent advice from BOC Limited to determine how the accident occurred, while a formal investigation into whether staff followed installation protocols is also being conducted.
BOC Limited says it is fully co-operating with all the investigations being undertaken by the hospital, NSW Coroner and NSW Health.
"BOC is also conducting a full internal enquiry and has appointed a special investigation team to ensure that the cause is clearly identified," it said in a statement.
"We deeply regret that these families are suffering pain and sorrow."
