Heater and cooler in one

During many surgeries, including open-heart surgery, a medical device called a heater-cooler is used to raise or lower the body temperature of the patient.  However, heater-coolers made by Sorin, now LivaNova, called the Stockert 3T, can spread infection to patients.  If they become contaminated, these devices can pass mycobaterium chimaera, or M. Chimaera for short, which can cause nontuberculous mycobaterium infections, or NTM.


Both the FDA and CDC have issued warnings about the risk of mycobateria infections while using Stockert 3T heater-coolers.

These devices may have been in use at Adena Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio, among other hospitals in Central Ohio.

What does it mean to me:

Symptoms of mycobaterium infection may not show up for several weeks, but include fatigue, cough with blood, difficulty breathing, joint or muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, night sweats, and weight loss.


Distracted driving is no “accident”

Fascinating NYT article on how we talk about distracted driving.  Words have meaning.  The word “accident” implies no one is responsible.  “Accidents happen,” as the saying goes.  Most car crashes are not accidents.  They are caused by driver action, inaction, or distraction. Let’s call a spade a spade.  #crashnotaccident

Female driver with mobile phone. Focus on hand holding phone

She did not pick up the phone and decide to text by accident.

100% natural cancer

“Natural” foods and products seem to be all the rage these days.  Buzzwords like “organic,” “free range,” and “gluten free” convey a sense of health and superiority to other products.  But not all natural products are good for you.

Talcum powder on black background

This is not the powder you’re looking for.

Talc in talcum powder is a naturally-occurring mineral, similar in composition to asbestos. Research suggests, however, that talc may be linked to ovarian cancer.  Two recent cases against Johnson & Johnson in St. Louis found that they knew about the risk of ovarian cancer and never disclosed it.

What does this mean to you:

Interestingly, talcum powder is not regulated by the FDA, as other products are, but the makers should still warn about its potential dangers.  I guess talc is not considered a drug.  Or, you know, a food.  What I’m saying is, don’t eat talcum powder.

Knowing when to leave is half the battle

We all know the type: the person at the party who cannot bring themselves to leave. Whether they just like the sound of their own voice or fear of facing what is at home is just too much, knowing when your time is up is critical.  (Watch this segue.)  And the same goes for IVC filters.

Oh geez.  Its time to go.

Oh geez. Its time to go.

After surgery, the risk of blood clots forming goes up.  If one of those clots makes it into the lungs, it can be bad.  Like, pulmonary embolism-bad.  So, surgeons can place a metal cage or filter in a vein, called the inferior vena cava, to trap blood clots to prevent them from reaching the lungs.  

The problem is that, if these IVC filters are left in too long, they tend to not stay in place. That is, they can move or tilt, causing perforation or tearing of the vein.

These filters have several metal spines, and in a pinch, can also be used to catch bass and stripers.  (This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.)  What has been stated by the FDA is that leaving an IVC filter in too long can be dangerous.

What does this mean to you:

It can sometimes be as important to know when to stop using a particular medical device as it can be to know when to start.

Sooner or later, they’re going to get one right





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Mmm, that’s some good Viptera.




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The hidden cost of tort deform





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That fracking hurts!




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Take a moment and repose yourself


Seeking enlightenment


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Shhh! We’d like to keep our fraud secret!





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