Health & Patient Safety News

While Government Explores Flavored E-Cig Ban, 7th Death Linked to Mysterious Vaping Illness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still working to find exactly what’s causing the mysterious vaping illness that has sprung up around the country. According to a recent report from CNBC, the illness has now affected about 530 people and recently claimed…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 23 Sep 2019

While Government Explores Flavored E-Cig Ban, 7th Death Linked to Mysterious Vaping Illness

Federal Government Proposes Ban of All Flavored E-Cigarettes

President Trump recently indicated that the federal government is now considering a ban on flavored e-cigarettes in an effort to curb the epidemic of vaping among young people. The proposed ban would include banning fruity flavors as well as menthol and mint products. Research shows…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 11 Sep 2019

Federal Government Proposes Ban of All Flavored E-Cigarettes

Vaping-Related Lung Illness Death Toll Rises to 5

Since health authorities started keeping track of lung illnesses tied to the use of e-cigarettes, the number of people affected has steadily increased. Just last week, one person was determined to have died from the illness. Now, according to a recent report from The Washington…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 9 Sep 2019

Vaping-Related Lung Illness Death Toll Rises to 5

Cybersecurity: Could Your Personal Medical Device be Hacked?

Many of today’s advanced medical devices provide the benefits of real-time information to medical professionals. Insulin pumps, defibrillators, and cardiac monitoring devices send data over the Internet, increasing the ability of healthcare providers to monitor and treat their patients to the best o

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 22 Aug 2019

Cybersecurity: Could Your Personal Medical Device be Hacked?

GE Recalls Infant Warmers After 338 Complaints

The FDA recently announced a Class I recall of about 25,000 GE Healthcare Giraffe Infant Warmers and Panda i-Res Infant Warmers due to safety concerns. A Class I recall is the most serious type of recall and identifies devices that may cause serious injuries or…

By Roopal Luhana

/ 22 Aug 2019

GE Recalls Infant Warmers After 338 Complaints

1 in 20 Patients Still Harmed by Preventable Medical Mistakes

It was 20 years ago that the Institute of Medicine found that medical errors killed between 44,000 and 98,000 patients in America each year. An expert panel condemned the handling of medical mistakes at the time and recommended new reforms to improve patient safety. Now,…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 12 Aug 2019

1 in 20 Patients Still Harmed by Preventable Medical Mistakes

Pharmaceutical Companies Paid Billions to Doctors in 2018: Influencing Prescriptions?

According to a recent report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), doctors and hospitals received even more money in 2018 from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers than they did in 2017. These payments were for things like doctor speaking and consulting fees,…

By Roopal Luhana

/ 2 Aug 2019

Pharmaceutical Companies Paid Billions to Doctors in 2018: Influencing Prescriptions?

Number of Ethicon, Bard, and Atrium Mesh Lawsuits Increasing

Many patients have experienced serious complications after being implanted with hernia mesh devices made by Ethicon, Atrium, and C.R. Bard. These include infections, inflammation, migration, and adhesions. Correspondingly, the number of hernia mesh lawsuits continues to increase, with more than 1,00

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 1 Aug 2019

Number of Ethicon, Bard, and Atrium Mesh Lawsuits Increasing

Despite Risks of Death, FDA Approves Generic Uloric

In February 2019, the FDA warned that the gout medication Uloric (febuxostat), manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, created an increased risk of death from all causes. Takeda was required to place a high-level black box warning on the drug to warn patients and doctors about the…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 25 Jul 2019

Despite Risks of Death, FDA Approves Generic Uloric

FDA Reveals Over 6 Million Previously Hidden Medical Device Adverse Event Reports

For about 20 years, the FDA has allowed some medical device manufacturers to shield reports of problems with their devices from the public eye. This was done through the “alternative summary reporting (ASR)” program, which began in October 1997. Typically, companies must report adverse events…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 16 Jul 2019

FDA Reveals Over 6 Million Previously Hidden Medical Device Adverse Event Reports

Editorial Highlights Other Health Risks Associated with Roundup

Manufacturer Monsanto and parent company Bayer are currently facing thousands of lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who claim to have developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using the herbicide Roundup for extended periods of time. Several studies have linked Roundup and its main ingredient glyphosate to n

By Roopal Luhana

/ 8 Jul 2019

Editorial Highlights Other Health Risks Associated with Roundup

Health Canada Bans Allergan Textured Breast Implants

In May 2019, the FDA warned doctors and patients about potential problems linked to textured breast implants. Amy Abernethy, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner, and Jeff Shuren, Director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, released a joint statement in which they acknowledged the

By Roopal Luhana

/ 2 Jul 2019