Lifted Logic Web Design in Kansas City clock location phone play chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up checkbox checkbox-checked radio radio-selected instagram google plus pinterest youtube send arrow-left arrow-right iphone magnifying-glass facebook linkedin twitter start-over down-arrow quotation-marks video diamond oblong oval rectangle round square triangle chat

Anesthesia Machine Failure May Cause Lifelong Problems

Defective Devices / June 13, 2016

One of the more daunting aspects of surgery is undergoing anesthesia. For many people, anesthesia station malfunctions provided injuries and complications more damaging than their initial need for surgery. These events are often reported to the FDA as an adverse event so the FDA can advise the manufacturer in necessary safety updates. If you’ve been affected by anesthesia machine failure, contact the Hollis Law Firm today.

Awareness during surgery is a serious problem that accounts for 2% of legal claims against anesthetists. The pain, anxiety, and inability to react due to muscle paralysis often leads to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and requires counseling. In an adverse event reported to the FDA in May of 2010, a patient moved or responded to stimulus twice while under anesthesia. The problem was found to be mechanical – the anesthesia machine failed. In a report from October of 2013, an anesthesia machine failed again, causing the patient to enter a semi-conscious state. The procedure had to be halted after the patient began to bite down on the airway tube and began to vomit. Both instances involved GE Datex-Ohmeda Anesthesia Machines.

During an 18 hour procedure in October of 2007, the vaporizer function on a Draeger Fabius anesthesia machine failed. This failure caused the patient to recall voices and specific topics discussed during their operation, in addition to recalling tugging on his abdomen. In July of 2012, the Carbon Dioxide monitor failed on a Draeger Fabius Plus anesthesia machine, causing the patient to suffer a brain infarction. A Draeger Fabius Tiro anesthesia machine design flaw led to a patient not being properly vaporized during their endoscopy. The July 2014 adverse event report noted that the client was awake but unable to move during the procedure.

If you or your loved one suffered complications after going under anesthesia, contact the Hollis Law Firm today. Anesthesia machine failure can threaten the success of an operation and cause lifelong problems for the patient. Our experienced legal team will review your claim free of charge. All information shared with the Hollis Law Firm is confidential and risk free. Call us at (800) 701-3672 to start your claim review today.