Duke-run hospitals put patients in jeopardy(hydraulic fluid in surgeries)

[rainbow4321]

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/breaking_news/11879193.htm

Over two months last year, 3,800 patients at two hospitals run by Duke University Health System were exposed to surgery with instruments that were washed in hydraulic fluid instead of detergent, hospital regulators say.

Duke Health Raleigh (formerly Raleigh Community) and Durham Regional hospitals put patients in "immediate jeopardy" in November and December of last year by not detecting the problem, despite complaints from medical staff about slick tools, the regulators said.

But seven months later, dozens of patients who were exposed to the surgical instruments are reporting lingering health problems some minor, such as fatigue and joint pain, and others serious, requiring hospitalization, the newspaper said.

Luanne Williams, a state toxicologist, said knowing the exact chemical contents of the hydraulic fluid is important. Although the contents of the manufactured product are available, other substances might have been introduced during the fluid's use in the elevator, giving it a unique chemical composition.

[Rainscents]

1. WTF??? Hospital should be sued big time! Oh, wait, I forgot, you can't

sue anymore! These people need to be fired!

[Richard Steele]

2. I'm just surprised to see this in LBN, cuz the story is MONTHS old!

I live in DURHAM; This story broke here months ago.

I'm not DISSING it; I honestly think it highlights important problems with our nation's "CORPORATE MEDICINE" model...
and it certainly deserves public attention.

But I also think it smacks of DESPERATION when the Corporate Media uses this old story to fill space...
while the OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS that prove B*sh is a Criminal and a Murdering Liar get blown off as an "Internet Rumor".

[supernova]

8. Same here, ds

This was news at the beginning of the year.

I would like to see a follow up story. It kinda disappeared after the initial announcement.

[Iowa]

3. Greasy, grimy, oily surgical instruments

and they went ahead and operated anyway? And this went on for two months? Amazing!

[Horse with no Name]

4. Oh My

:wow:
Wonder what their infection rate has been in that time period?
Also the M&M....
Unfrikkenbelievable.

[burrowowl]

5. Don't forget

the U$ of A has the best hospitals in the World! Why even the Shah of Iran came here!
And most of the patients at Duke could afford being hospitalized, unlike those who can't afford any kind of care.
Just remeber the U$ of A has the best med-care in the WORLD and is 37th in health!

[supernova]

7. Well no,

most of the patients at Duke could afford being hospitalized,

Duke does its fair share of charity care. They treat people who can't afford to pay too. And yes, they lose money doing it, just like every other hosptial.

Not everyone who comes to Duke is mindlessly wealthy.

[KlatooBNikto]

6. Why are the patients complaining about joint pain? Don't they know

that hydraulic fluid acts like a lubricant? To think that these ungrateful people would compalin when the hospital gives out hydraulic fluid at no extra charge,it boggles the mind.