The 3M Bair Hugger, a medical device used to warm patients during knee and hip replacement surgery, has been linked to an increased risk of MRSA, sepsis, deep joint infections and other serious injuries.
What is a Bair Hugger?
The Bair Hugger system uses forced, warm air to prevent and treat hypothermia in surgical patients. The device consists of a warming unit and a disposable blanket that distributes warm air across the patient before, during and/or after surgery. According to some studies, keeping a patient warm during surgery helps regulate their body temperature and may help to prevent hypothermia, which results in less bleeding and faster recovery time.
What You Should Know
According to the inventor of this device, Dr. Scott Augustine, hospitals should stop using the Bair Hugger because it poses a danger to patients. Specifically, Augustine asserts that his invention is a danger to patients receiving implant devices like artificial heart valves and joints because the forced air can spread bacteria associated with hospital-acquired infections. Heat generated by the Bair Hugger can redirect circulation in rooms where joint implant surgeries are performed, which can change air flow and bring airborne contaminants into contact with patients, according to Augustine.
Injuries Resulting from Use of Bair Hugger:
- Need for hospitalization
- Insertion of antibiotic spacers into affected joint(s)
- IV antibiotic
- Need for physical therapy
- Need for revision surgery
- Need for removal of implant
- Amputation
- Death
Free Bair Hugger Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one suffered a deep joint infection or other injury after undergoing joint replacement surgery with a Bair Hugger blanket, you should contact The Falkowitz Law Firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Bair Hugger Suit and we can help.
