3,800 Patients were operated on with surgical tools washed in hydraulic oil

Why am I not surprised? Last summer two elevator repair workers drained hydraulic oil from the elevator into empty labeled detergent containers.  It did not take long for hospital medical  staff to complain that many of the  surgical tools felt slippery, but nothing was done until January 2005!  Duke Hospital officials did nothing until at least 3,800 patients had undergone surgeries with medical tools  washed in this hydraulic oil.  Duke officials had the audacity to tell patients that there was no increased risk of infection from these tools, however this  claim seems highly unlikely.  Numerous patients have already come forward with health problems ranging in severity from fatigue and pain to hospitalization.
This does not generate confidence in the cleaning process of medical instruments.  This case brings to mind reports earlier this year of colonoscopy tools that were found to be used without proper sanitation between patients.  For more information on hospital infections check out the Consumers Union site.

Comments

[linux]

Global Warming Isn't A Threat

[daewoo]

Prejudice will always be a part of society

[world]

I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. I just don't have much to say right now, but so it goes. I've basically been doing nothing to speak of, but shrug. Today was a loss. I don't care. That's how it is.

[acquisition]

Life begins at conception, at birth

[Gimpy Mumpy]

To all: ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww is right! :P
We need to get the Crip World Domination moving now; so long as money driven able-body corporate types who can't relate and don't give a damn about the patient continue to call the shots we are all at risk.

Peggikaye: I think that sometimes they really DO think they can get away with it. Scary.
I'm glad my comments were helpful. If I think of anything else I'll send it your way. Best of luck healing. I can't remember, did you have staples, stitches or steri-tape for your incision? It must me itchy in this hot, humid weather. My surgery was June 30th last summer and I found that Aloe gel really helped around my steri-stitches.

Timmargh: Good point! It must have crossed someone's mind that this stuff smelt more like something that belonged on a bike chain or a car engine than something coming out of a detergent container to clean surgical tools with!
As a former worker in the healthcare system I can honestly say that they frown upon those employees with intelligence and initiative........they prefer something along the lines of a lemming.....

Ruth: Yes! I hope that every patient wins it's case against them, unfortunately our president has put caps on what they can receive in damages, grrrr....
Oh, and your welcome :)

[ruth]

ewwww its great to see someone taking them to task/holding them accountable

btw thx for yr comments on my blog!

[Timmargh]

Just to echo what Peggikaye said: "Eewwww!"

Didn't these people notice the change in their detergent? The smell? Makes you wonder how these people get their jobs ...

[Peggikaye]

eewwwwwwwwwwww

This is one of those things that makes you wonder ..did they seriously think in today's society that word would not get out????? HELLO?????

BTW ...thanks for your remarks on my blog. I will check into fish oil, but I am hoping that by the time I see my ortho on Wednesday he OK's the prednisone. It helps with more than pain, it helps with other lupus symptoms too, like the mouth sores, dizzy spells and other central nervous system symptoms of the lupus. Doesn't make them go away, but helps. But ..the same reason it helps, is the same reason they won't let me have it until the sites have healed, it's suppresses the immune system. Catch 22.