Advances in Technology Reduce Risks of Retained Sponges and Instruments During Surgery

Technology is coming to the rescue of physicians and nurses who, for decades, have manually kept track of sponges used during surgical procedures.  SurgiCount and its distribution partner, Cardinal Health, Inc., are implementing a bar-coding system that helps operating room nurses and technicians keep track of sponges and other items.  In addition, Medline Industries is winning over hospitals with its RF-Detect System, which alerts health care providers via radio frequency that sponges and other surgical instruments are still in the patient before the physician closes the surgical site.  Sponges, tagged with a radio frequency detection system, can be found after a “wandlike” device is waived over the site.

To read the entire Sun Sentinel article, please click on the following link:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/chi-wed_sponges_0102jan02,0,6399772.story

For more information on defending medical malpractice, nursing home and general liability matters in Florida contact Howard Citron at Citron & Associates, P.A. – www.citronlegal.com.

Threat of Medical Malpractice Suits Discourages Obstetricians from Delivering Babies

Ten years from now, many women will be shepherded through nine (9) months of pregnancy by their obstetricians only to have their baby delivered by an unfamiliar physician called a “laborist” – a hospital staff doctor specializing in delivering babies.  Many obstetricians have given up delivering babies due to the threat of baseless lawsuits filed by parents who have less than perfect outcomes following birth.  According to the website for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, practitioners on average have nearly three (3) claims filed against them during their careers.

To read the entire Austin American-Statesman article, please click on the link below:

http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/other/12/29/1229birth.html

For more information on defending medical malpractice, nursing home and general liability matters in Florida contact Howard Citron at Citron & Associates, P.A. – www.citronlegal.com.