Colorado Woman Sues American Medical Systems Over Transvaginal Mesh Injuries
Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm, just filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Colorado woman allegedly injured by transvaginal mesh products manufactured by American Medical Systems, Inc. The suit was filed on May 21, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. ...
Hip Replacement, Knee Implant Patients with Diabetes, Other Health Problems May Face Difficult Recoveries
Patients receiving hip replacement devices or knee implants may face a more complicated recovery if they are obese, or suffer from diabetes or other health woes. According to a new study published online in the journal Anesthesiology, at least 3% of all total hip or knee replacement patients will ...
DePuy ASR Hip Implants, Other Faulty Medical Devices Subject to Little FDA Oversight, Investigation Finds
A newly-published investigation from ProPublica has revealed that several questionable types of medical devices, including DePuy Orthopaedic’s recalled ASR hip implant, managed to make it to market without much scrutiny on the part of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
New York Property Owners Challenge Binghamton Fracking Ban
According to a Reuters report, the landowners believe the Binghamton, N.Y., city council and Mayor acted against proper protocol when voting to ban fracking drilling the the city. Instead, they feel the city should have consulted with the Broome County Planning Commission before approving the ban.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Concerns Grow in Canada
Canadian patients and doctors are voicing more concerns about metal-on-metal hip replacements, as health regulators around the world continue to investigate the safety of the devices. According to a report from the CBC, four companies have recently either recalled or suspended sales of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices, while a number ...
Older Hip Implant, Knee Replacement Patients Face Heart Attack Risk Following Surgery
An emerging report reveals that older hip implant and knee replacement patients face increased heart attack risks following surgery. The risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was seen in the first two weeks after these surgical procedures.
Study Finds SSRI Antidepressant Side Effects Outweigh Their Benefits
A new study is raising more concerns about the safety of commonly used antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake (SSRI) inhibitor antidepressants. Investigators who conducted the study, which is published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, posit that increased knowledge of the negative effects of SSRIs and other antidepressants could reduce ...
Study Finds Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Associated with High Incidence of Pseudotumors
Yet another study is adding to concerns about the potential dangers associated with metal-on-metal hip implants. The study, published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, found that large diameter metal-on-metal total hip replacement may be associated with a substantially higher incidence of pseudotumor formation.
Avon Recalls Microwave Popcorn Makers Over Burn, Fire Hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced a recall issued by Avon for microwave popcorn makers.
Some 55,000 Avon Microware Popcorn Makers that were sold in the United States are being recalled over the potential for fire and burns, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The recalled Avon popcorn makers retailed for about $13 and were sold in the United States through Avon’s website and Avon sales representatives from October through February, the AP said. Continue reading
Another Ethicon Vaginal Mesh Device Lawsuit Filed Over Serious Injuries
A Mississippi woman alleges, in a recently filed lawsuit, that she suffered injuries caused by Ethicon Inc.’s transvaginal mesh device. The woman alleges the injuries are a result of Ethicon’s Prolift and TVT sling and that these products are defective.
According to this complaint, the woman was implanted with the Prolift and TVT sling on November 20, 2008. The lawsuit alleges that the device makers knew about the risks associated with Ethicon’s Proflift and TVT sling and failed to warn the woman, her doctor, and other consumers. She is suing for negligence on three counts of strict liability (design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn), breach of express and implied warranty, fraudulent concealment, and punitive damages. Continue reading
Nevada Health Officials: 89 Affected in Salmonella Outbreak
According to the Southern Nevada Health District, as many as 89 people may have contracted salmonella at Firefly, a popular Las Vegas tapas restaurant.
The restaurant was shut down on April 26, following a health inspection that revealed violations including improperly stored food; employees handling food without gloves; and employees preparing food next to cleaning chemicals, according to KVVU-TV. Continue reading
Woman Undergoes Hip Implant Revision Surgery Over Cobalt Reaction
A Denver woman, allergic to a component in one of her hip implants had to undergo revision surgery to remove and replace the medical device.
The 50-year-old woman told ABC News that said she suffered from pain and itching throughout her body, but had no idea it was her hip implant that was causing the reactions that also included migraine headaches.
Two years into the symptoms, her right hip lit up on a PET scan she underwent for an unrelated issue. The hip involved was implanted in 2008 and constructed with metal, according to ABC News. “My entire body itched,” she told ABCNews.com. “A regular allergist did some testing that didn’t show anything. Not one person along the way said, ‘I wonder if you’re allergic to your hip.’” Continue reading
Tougher Drunk Driving Limits Sought
In an effort to cut alcohol-related highway deaths, a more stringent drunk driving threshold is being sought.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working to have the current blood alcohol threshold of .08 slashed down to .05, which would match a standard that has significantly cut highway deaths in other countries, according to The Associated Press (AP).
The reduced level of .05 percent amounts to about one four-ounce drink for a woman weighing under 120 pounds or two drinks for a 160-pound man, according to the AP. Continue reading
Florida Nursing Home Faces Sanctions Over Client Treatment
A Florida nursing home is facing a fine and state-mandated probation for failing to report allegations of abuse and to implement procedures to prevent abuse.
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration has determined that three of 60 clients at Silvercrest Manor Nursing Home in Crestview were not “free of verbal or physical abuse,” according to nwfdailynews.com, an online newspaper. According to the proposed settlement agreement filed on May 10, staff members were made aware of “intentional rudeness, refusal of care and services, and rough physical treatment of residents,” but failed to take appropriate action. Continue reading
Pain Pill Use Associated with Erectile Dysfunction
A study has found that men taking prescription pain pills in high doses and over time are likelier to experience erectile dysfunction (ED).
The study, published in the journal, Spine, found that men taking high doses of prescription painkillers for more than four months were 50 percent likelier to need ED treatment when compared to men who were not taking pain killers, according to Fox News. The researchers reviewed the health records of 11,000 men who were taking prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, for chronic back pain treatment. A high dose of an opioid was considered to be the equivalent of 80 milligrams of Oxycontin daily, or 120 milligrams of morphine. Continue reading
Detergent Pods Present Significant Dangers to Children
Detergent pods or capsules have been associated with an array of adverse reactions in children, including choking and poisoning incidents. Part of the issue with these pods is that they look like candy and are very attractive to children.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers indicates that more than 6,200 young children, under five years of age, were taken to hospitals in 2012 after attempting to eat the dangerous detergent pods, according to an ABC2 News report. “The problem with these little pods is that they are very concentrated, so the detergent is a smaller amount but more concentrated. If they take it, if they chew it, take off a piece, bite into it, they get a concentrated dose of the detergent,” Dr. Kate Cronan from Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, told ABC2 News. Continue reading
Elevated Cadmium Levels Linked to Increased Risk of Liver Disease
Johns Hopkins medical researchers report that people with higher levels of cadmium in their urine appear to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to die of liver disease than people with lower levels.
Cadmium in the urine is evidence of chronic exposure to the heavy metal in industrial emissions and tobacco smoke, the researchers explain. The metal has a long chemical half-life and accumulates in the body over time, according to the Hub. The researchers say long-term exposure is known to cause kidney disease and has been linked to lung cancer. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium increases cancer mortality.
Judge Approves Class-Action Settlement in Skechers Case
On Monday a federal judge in Louisville approved a $40 million settlement in a class-action suit against Skechers USA Inc. The suit was brought by consumers who alleged the company’s ads made unfounded claims that Skechers fitness shoes would help them lose weight and strengthen muscles.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the settlement grew out of consumer complaints over a series of Skechers ads featuring celebrity endorsers such as Kim Kardashian and Brooke Burke. The ads claimed that Skecher’s shoe design requires wearers to “use more energy with every step,” thereby helping them lose weight and strengthen butt, leg, and stomach muscles. Skechers reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that bars the company from running the ads in the future.
