There’s no doubt that advanced technology has significantly benefited the health care industry. But patients considering going under the knife of a surgical robot may want to do their research first.
According to U.S. News and World Report, more than 2,000 patients have been injured, 274 were killed, and 17,000 experienced malfunctions during robotic-assisted surgeries in the last 10 years. If you have been considering a procedure involving a surgical robot, know the risks and benefits before you book your appointment.
It’s important to note that we are in no way giving medical or surgical advice. As dedicated safety and health advocates, we believe it’s of utmost importance to stay informed about your health and the policies and issues that could affect it.
Surgical robots have been around for decades, but they are far from perfect. A study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports surgical robots initially became popular around the 1990s as a way to perform minimally invasive surgery. The first robot used in an advanced surgery was called the PUMA 200, a laparoscopic tool used for needle placement during a CT-guided brain biopsy.
Despite the overwhelming benefits of laparoscopic procedures compared to traditional open surgery techniques, advancements since have failed to reduce the risk for errors still causing life-threatening injuries. Some patients have experienced damages from surgical robots such as nicked blood vessels, perforated organs, or internal injuries sustained from instruments and machine parts falling into the operating site. These are the most common risks leading to these accidents patients should be aware of:
Many of the errors caused by surgical robots related to organ nicks and instrument mishaps can be traced back to poor training. Surgeons quoted in the U.S. News article described robotic-assisted surgery as the ‘Wild West’ of surgical training. There are no standardized training or unified credentials for procedures utilizing robotic medical equipment in the United States. Robotic credentialing is currently the responsibility of the hospital where the procedure takes place, and the standards vary greatly nationwide.
Even the best surgeons in the country might not be able to stop an injury caused by malfunctioning or defects of a robot. When a human doctor is conducting surgery, their ability to start and stop what they are doing is almost instant. With a robot, surgeons only have so much control if a defect takes control of the operation, or worse, if a robot ceases to respond during critical maneuvers.
Surgical robots do not make for stress-free surgeries. The robots may be doing some of the work, but surgeons are the ones in control of their actions. One medical professional interviewed by U.S. News reported that procedures he performed using surgical robots were sometimes more stressful. Robot malfunctions have become an additional risk medical professionals must prepare for during surgery. And increased stress in the operating room allows for preventable errors to occur.
Patients considering robotic surgeries must be aware of the dramatic differences when it comes to cost. According to Reuters, robotic-assisted procedures using popular machines such as the one of a kind da Vinci robot system can cost thousands more. Longer operating times and elevated supply costs the overall cost of the procedure to rise, but it doesn’t mean the results will necessarily be more successful.
Some physicians are using surgical robots to perform procedures without evidence to prove they will be successful. In the beginning of 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A) issued a written warning to patients diagnosed with or at risk for breast cancer who were considering robotic-assisted mastectomy procedures. Experts cautioned that a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of surgical robots in removing or preventing breast cancer could cause patients to undergo unnecessary risks. Yet, some surgeons will still offer the option.
Surgical robots are the wave of the future, and there are benefits for qualified candidates, including:
Compared to the rate of medical errors associated with open surgeries, surgical robots have significantly cut down these risks by minimizing the surgical area exposed. Doctors can perform a variety of high-risk procedures with only using small cuts and incisions. They can also precisely place tools in areas of the body they may have done blindly or in good faith without advanced technology.
Not every patient is an ideal candidate for robotic-assisted surgery, and not every produce can be assisted by a robot.
A study published by JAMA Network identifies the following risk factors than can increase a patient’s chances of complications and injury during a robotic-assisted procedure:
Several procedures have been successfully performed with surgical robots, but not all. These are some of the most common procedures most often completed with robotic-assistance:
If you are considering robotic-assisted surgery for your procedure, talk to your doctor about the risks and emergency plans before you make your decision:
For more information on these procedures and robotic surgery, visit the resources below:
Hospitals and medical professionals have an obligation to prevent their patients from foreseeable harm. If you or a loved has been injured due to the medical negligence of a health care facility or physician, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages suffered. Contact our expert team of medical malpractice attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation and to explore your options.
Staying cozy warm at home is the perfect winter pastime when outdoor temperatures are bitter cold. But if you haven’t prepared to detect for carbon monoxide this year, your family could be heading for tragedy.
Heating systems and other fuel-powered tools can cause deadly carbon monoxide leaks when people are in their homes most of the winter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) reports that carbon monoxide (CO) is responsible for 400 deaths, 20,000 hospital visits, and 4,000 hospitalizations every year. Its invisible properties have dubbed the deadly gas the ‘silent killer’. It can’t be seen, smelled, or even tasted, but its effects can be fatal if detected too late.
As your family continues to buckle down for the season, protecting your home from indoor hazards is the key to keeping everyone safe and healthy. Start the winter off right by knowing the CO risks in your home, how to limit your exposure, and what to do if you suspect a deadly leak is present.
Carbon monoxide is found in the fumes released from dozens of appliances and tools we keep around our home all year round. CO can seep through windows, doors, and vents, and it doesn’t take much for someone to become extremely ill.
According to the C.D.C., anything that runs on the following fuels can produce harmful CO:
Between heating systems, appliances, and tools, there are countless ways you can be exposed to carbon monoxide. When the weather is cold, these are the most common culprits to watch for:
Appliances and tools that release CO gas become deadly when the gas is not allowed to dissipate into the air. This can happen when pipes are blocked, cracked, or broken. It can also occur when outdoor tools and appliances that are not meant to be operated in enclosed areas are incorrectly used in garages, crawl spaces, or homes.
Most carbon monoxide leaks in the winter are related to poorly maintained heating systems and the improper use of gas powered equipment. In the month of January, at least two people die every day from carbon monoxide poisoning. Since January is typically the coldest month of the year, people are more likely to kick up the heat and seal doors and windows to prevent drafts. CO that finds its way into the home in these cases is provided no means of escape and builds up to toxic levels in the air.
Individuals who struggle for heat during the winter months have also been known to use gas ovens, portable heaters, outdoor grills, or other emergency heat sources just to fight the cold. These methods produce dangerous amounts of CO and little heat. They often require people to sit close, increasing their exposure to the deadly gas.
Ice and snow can pose a serious problem leading to the buildup of CO when it comes to exhaust pipes. If you are one who likes to warmup your car in the winter, ice and snow can block pipes and cause CO to back up into your vehicle, garage, or even home depending on where you are parked. Snowblowers also produce CO which can be harmful if you are using the tool for an extended period of time.
There are two ways a person can suffer from CO poisoning: exposure to a small amount over a long period of time, or exposure to a lot in a large amount over a short period of time.
Because you cannot detect CO gas by sight, smell, or taste, these symptoms are often the first sign there could be a leak in your home:
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be easily passed off as other ailments such as the flu. If you or a loved one experiences a sudden onset of these symptoms (while in the home), and have not come in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with the flu, exit your home and check your CO levels to ensure your family is safe.
Some populations are more at risk than others of becoming extremely ill from even minimal exposure to carbon monoxide. People who have a history of heart disease or anemia, infants, and individuals over the age of 65 are most at risk for complications related to CO. Making sure to place CO detectors directly in the rooms of at-risk individuals will help prevent long term exposure if any carbon monoxide is present.
Carbon monoxide deaths are 100% preventable using the appropriate safety measures. All homeowners and renters must do their part to reduce CO exposure in their home by following these safety steps this winter:
There are no natural and obvious warning signs to alert you when carbon monoxide is present. If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak in your home, get out first and call 911 immediately after for assistance.
For more information on how to protect your family this year from carbon monoxide, visit the C.D.C.’s Carbon Monoxide Safety page or look for more resources through the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.
The law firm of Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a safe and warm winter season!
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, our experienced attorneys at the law firm of Jacobs & Wallace are here to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to review your options for seeking justice.
Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday have officially ended, the holiday shopping season is in full swing. If you’re buying for children this year, you might want to do your research before grabbing a random toy from the store. Thousands of toys on the market could cause children serious injuries, while others have potentially life-threatening features.
To help parents and holiday shoppers choose safe products this year, World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) released their 10 Most Dangerous Toys list for 2019. Here are the products consumers should be avoiding and why:
1. Nerf Ultra One
This dangerous gun has a powerful force that shoots darts up to 120 feet away. Children can sustain serious harm to the eyes or battery-related injuries when misused. The darts can also become a choking hazard when left within reach of younger children.
2. Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog
The rigid plastic quills of this hedgehog detach from the back of the toy and can serve as a potential choking hazard.
3. Bunchems Bunch’N Build
These small plastic balls bond tightly together. They can easily become entangled in children’s hair or become a choking hazard for both kids and pets.
4. Stuffed Yeti
This toy’s long, fiber-like hairs come loose when pulled or chewed, posing an aspiration and ingestion injury risk to children.
5. Nickelodeon Frozen Treats Slime
This slime product contains chemicals that can make kids sick if eaten. The slime can also lead to ingestion and irritation injuries if children accidentally swallow it.
6. Anstoy Electronic Toy Gun
This toy gun is getting a lot of backlash for its realistic appearance in a time when schools are seeing an uptick in shootings.
7. Diecast School Bus
The small rubber wheels on this bus can be easily pulled off and become a choking hazard.
8. Pogo Trick Board
Kids who jump on this toy without a helmet or other protective gear put themselves at risk for broken bones and head injuries.
9. Power Rangers Electronic Cheetah Claw
The rigid plastic pieces on this toy can cause eye and facial injuries. Other impact injuries are also possible when children use extensive force.
10. Viga Pull-Along Caterpillar
This pull-along caterpillar features a pull cord long enough to pose a strangulation and entanglement risk.
Unfortunately, the regulation of toy manufacturers is not as robust as other consumer industries such as food and drugs. Thousands of dangerous toys make it into the homes of unsuspecting families every year, causing preventable injuries to children who are only looking to play.
Connecticut parents can help prevent harm to their kids this holiday by doing their research before they buy a toy. According to the Hartford Courant, the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group also released its 34th annual report on dangerous toys last week to keep parents informed on the many dangers certain popular toys can pose to children. In a press conference held at Connecticut Children’s, the consumer safety group reviewed their most recent “Trouble in Toyland” report highlighting several warning parents should be looking for before they purchase any presents this year. Some of the features to look for include:
Parents may also want to check the toys that are already in their homes to help prevent injures this holiday. If one of your child’s toys is under recall or on a Most Dangerous Toy list this year when they have not been in the past, it may be a good idea to get rid of the product before it causes any harm.
You don’t have to skip the toy aisle to avoid purchasing harmful toys. Using these helpful buying tips can allow you to find fun and safe products this weekend and avoid unnecessary injuries that could put a damper on your holiday spirit:
Stick to stores and websites you know. There will always be heartless scammers out there who are only out to make a quick buck. Toys purchased from these manufacturers may be knock-offs of popular items and made from cheap and harmful materials. If the deal seems too good to be true, you can bet it probably is.
The law firm of Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday shopping season! Keep an eye out for both savings and safety to help protect your kids from preventable toy-related injuries this year.
If you or a loved has been injured in an accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact our expert team of personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace today for a free consultation and to explore your options for Justice.