In 1988, a new product was introduced for both patients who undergo surgery, as well as victims of hypothermia. That product was the 3M Bair Hugger warming blanket.

When a patient is placed under anesthesia, his or her body temperature drops and it can interfere with both bleeding and recovery time. The warming blanket helps maintain a patient’s body temperature to avoid those complications. However, the blanket is also responsible for thousands of patients developing life-risking infections.

The Bair Hugger works similar to a forced-air furnace by carrying warm air through a hose which is connected to a blanket that is placed over a patient. However, the inventor of the blanket has spent the past several years notifying hospitals and other organizations that this product is dangerous.

According to the product’s inventor, Dr. Augustine, the danger from using the blanket occurs when the air that is being circulated through the blanket becomes recirculated. This recirculated air is then directed back and circulates throughout the operating room—including under the surgical table. Bacteria is found in this recirculated air and it often ends up inside patients’ surgical incisions—which can cause dangerous infections such as sepsis and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These infections have proven to be difficult to treat.

When Dr. Augustine realized the danger of the Bair Hugger blanket, he invented another device, which also warms a patient, but does so without contaminating the operational theater. Critics of  Augustine argue that he is only claiming the product is dangerous because he no longer has a financial stake in the product—but he could make a substantial profit with his new invention in the event of a Bair Hugger recall and replacement product need.

However, there has been a significant increase in the number of lawsuits filed on behalf of patients who developed post-surgical infections and complications which were caused by the Bair Hugger. At particular risk are patients who have undergone hip and knee replacements

If you suffered complications or infections after undergoing surgery, contact an experienced Westport medical malpractice attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have for your pain and loss.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/25/business/25invent.html?_r=0

http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/07/use-of-bair-hugger-warming-blanket-during-hip-and-knee-replacement-surgery-could-unnecessarily-increase-risk-of-severe-infection

When doctors do not follow medical protocol and address patients’ needs and concerns with the utmost care and attention, grievous errors ranging from misdiagnosis to death can occur.

Many people are surprised to learn how frequently medical malpractice occurs because of a physician’s failure to accurately review the results of a patient’s tests, reports and x-rays. In some of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice, a physician did not fail to adequately read or interpret a patient’s lab test, report or x-ray. Instead, he or she simply failed to review the information at all, in its entirety.

Patient Death from Failure to Review Test Results

In one patient’s case, a doctor’s failure to review the results of an electrocardiogram cost the patient his life. The patient, a 45-year-old male, entered a medical center with stroke-like symptoms. While in the ER, one doctor administered an electrocardiogram and sent the results to the patient’s family doctor who was on call at the hospital at the time.

Although the patient’s doctor was notified, she did not check in on the patient until the following day and, according to the patient’s attorney, she did not ever review the results of the electrocardiogram.

One week after the patient’s initial complaint, he suffered a heart attack and died. The patient’s family sued the family doctor for medical malpractice and negligence, claiming that the doctor’s misdiagnosis of his condition caused his death. The jury agreed and awarded the patient’s next of kin over $6 million in compensation for wrongful death.

Medical Malpractice Cases can be Complicated

Medical malpractice cases are complicated in the legal arena. Doctors, nurses, and hospitals are protected by numerous waivers, rules, and regulations, therefore making it difficult to sue. However, when a medical error does occur, a victim or a victim’s family should immediately consult with a skilled medical malpractice legal firm to discuss what litigation option may be available. Additionally, if negligence occurs, and a victim or family believes they can prove that the negligence caused suffering or death, they may have a strong case and may be awarded significant compensation for their losses. Consulting an attorney is essential.

Speak with a Westport, CT Attorney Today

If you have experienced a misdiagnosis that resulted in pain and suffering, or if you have lost a loved one due to doctor or hospital error, please contact a Westport medical malpractice attorney. We offer both advice and representation, will handle your case individualized attention and diligence, and will fight hard to get you and your family the compensation you deserve. Richard H. Raphael, Attorney at Law, is experienced in representing clients throughout Connecticut. 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently announced the results of the organization’s annual, unannounced brake check. The event, part of the CVSA’s Operation Airbrake program, was held on May 6^th in 32 different locations in the United States and Canada.

The unannounced event resulted in the inspections of 6337 commercial vehicles. Of those inspected, almost 10 percent were pulled off the road for excessive brake stroke violations. This means that the brakes of the vehicle were out of adjustment. Eight percent of vehicles were pulled for what was classified as brake component violations. These violations include air leaks, cracked or missing components, damaged brake hose or tubing, issues with drums or rotors.

In all, 14.2 percent of the vehicles inspected—approximately 900 commercial vehicles—were placed out of service because of unsafe brakes.

There were 111 vehicles inspected at the Connecticut location. Fourteen of those vehicles were place out of service for brake adjustment violations, 13 were pulled for brake component violations, and another 28 were put out of service for other brake issues.

The organization is now gearing up for its annual Brake Safety Week, which will take place from September 6^th through September 12^th. The event is held in partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The inspections will be performed by both federal and state inspectors, with the goal of identifying vehicles with out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations.

According to the announcement released by the CVSA, inspectors will be looking for the following violations:

• Air or hydraulic fluid leaks;
• Worn drums, linings, pads, rotors, or other faulty brake-system components;
• Loose or missing brake-system components; and
• Issues of the vehicle’s antilock braking system (ABS) malfunction indicator lamps.

During last year’s Brake Safety Week, there were over 13,000 commercial vehicles inspected, resulting in 2,162 vehicles being pulled off the road.

The braking capacity of tractor-trailers (and other commercial vehicles) can be a significant factor in truck crashes. It takes a loaded truck 20 to 40 percent farther to come to a complete stop than it does for an automobile. Hence, it is critical for the braking systems of trucks to be in safe working order.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced Westport personal injury attorney today to find out what legal recourse you may have for your pain and loss.