The Bair Hugger blanket has a cutesy, friendly-sounding name \u2014 but for some surgical patients, it causes complications that are anything but friendly. It is a forced-air system used to keep patients warm during surgery. However, some evidence suggests that the Bair Hugger\u2019s design may contribute to infections, burns, and other major complications. If you have been harmed by the Bair Hugger blanket, you may have legal recourse, and Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law may be able to help you.<\/p>
\nIf you suffer serious complications because of a medical device, you shouldn\u2019t be left to deal with those complications alone. Compensation might not be able to heal your injury, but it can cover your medical expenses and support you through the healing process.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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We\u2019re Ready to Deliver the Strong Representation You Deserve<\/h3>\n
We understand that when it comes to choosing a Houston personal injury lawyer, you have options. That\u2019s why the team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is determined to set a new standard in the field. Here\u2019s a brief rundown of why we\u2019re the firm to choose for personal injury cases:<\/p>\n
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- We have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients<\/a>.<\/li>\n
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- We give 110% for our clients \u2014 every time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Our legal knowledge and experience all boil down to one key benefit for you \u2014 we know what it takes to win your case.<\/p>\n
What Is the Bair Hugger Warming Blanket? What Problems Does It Cause?<\/h2>\n
The Bair Hugger is a specialized blanket used to keep patients warm during surgery. It is manufactured by 3M. The Bair Hugger forces warm air through a hose and into a blanket, and the blanket distributes the heat over the patient\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
Hypothermia during surgery can cause complications for patients, so the Bair Hugger serves an important purpose. However, recent research suggests it may contribute to post-surgical infections and other major problems. While 3M maintains that it is perfectly safe, even Dr. Scott Augustine<\/a>, who invented the Bair Hugger, is now campaigning against its use. Many patients have been through surgeries with the Bair Hugger and have suffered no complications, but patients who do have complications often suffer major problems.<\/p>\n
Surgical Site Infections (SSI)<\/h3>\n
By some estimates, up to 6.8% of patients<\/a> who receive certain types of orthopedic surgery suffer from surgical site infections. While experts disagree on the cause of these infections, some experts (including Dr. Augustine) believe the Bair Hugger is to blame. There are several different ways the warming blanket may cause infections:<\/p>\n
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- It draws air from around possibly contaminated floors and blows it across the surgical site.<\/li>\n
- The built-in filter becomes less effective at removing pathogens from the air over time.<\/li>\n
- It disrupts the normal airflow of the operating room, which is designed to push contaminants away from the patient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Surgical site infections can cause serious complications, especially in joint replacement surgeries. If an infection develops at the site of the implant, bacteria may form a film<\/a> around it, making it nearly impossible for your immune system to fight the infection. Often, the only way to get rid of the infection is to do surgery to clear the infected tissue and remove the artificial joint. Once the infection is treated with antibiotics, your doctor will perform a revision surgery and replace the joint.<\/p>\n
This complication is an especially life-altering one. Undergoing multiple surgeries isn\u2019t just expensive \u2014 it involves serious physical pain and downtime while you heal. Because you are left without a joint while you wait for the infection to be completely cleared with antibiotics, your mobility will be severely limited.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t treat an infected joint replacement or wait too long to seek treatment, there is a possibility that you will develop sepsis<\/a>. This is an improper immune response to infection, and it is potentially life-threatening. In extreme cases, the affected limb may even need to be amputated.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re dealing with major post-surgical complications, you may be eligible for compensation. Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.<\/b><\/p>\n
Burns<\/h3>\n
While they aren\u2019t as widely talked about as surgical site infections, Bair Hugger burns<\/a> can be very serious. Sometimes, the blanket can become detached from the hose that delivers hot air during the surgery. When this happens, the hot air isn\u2019t distributed over the patient\u2019s skin through holes in the blanket. Instead, the hose blasts hot air in a concentrated stream. The air is hotter than many people realize, and it can lead to second- and third-degree burns<\/a>. Patients who suffer these severe burns may have to undergo treatments like these:<\/p>\n
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- Debridement (removal of destroyed tissue from the surface of the burned area)<\/li>\n
- IV antibiotics<\/li>\n
- Skin grafting<\/li>\n
- Reconstructive surgery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n