MKK Law

Zithromax (azithromycin): FDA Statement on risk of cardiovascular death

James Martin — Sat, 19 May 2012 00:44:31 +0000

ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals that it is aware of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine May 17, 2012 reporting a small increase in cardiovascular deaths, and in the risk of death from any cause, in persons treated with a 5-day course of azithromycin (Zithromax) compared to persons treated with amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, or no drug. FDA is reviewing the results from this study and will communicate any new information on azithromycin and this study or the potential risk of QT interval prolongation after the agency has completed its review.

Read Article: FDA Medwatch

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Surgeons do more procedures when they take a cut of the profit -

James Martin — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:26:59 +0000

Surgeons who become owners of surgical centers perform 14 percent to 22 percent more surgery than when they were nonowners, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute, a nonprofit on public policy for compensation systems.

The study looked at nearly 950 surgeons at ambulatory surgical centers in Florida. Although it did not determine whether the surgeries were medically necessary, researchers found that orthopedic surgeon owners, in particular, performed 52 percent to 111 percent more surgery than nonowners.

Read Article: Fierce Healthcare

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New Legal Ground Regarding Texting

James Martin — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:56:35 +0000

A lawsuit has recently been filed, hoping to break new legal ground, by suing NOT only the person who was texting and driving, but ALSO the person WHO the driver was texting!

The young driver who was texting and crossed over the yellow line, hitting an oncoming motorcycle, causing both passengers to each lose a leg and sustain other injures, is NOT the only one in trouble. The girl whom he was texting has been included in the lawsuit as a Defendant, because she KNEW or SHOULD HAVE KNOWN that the person she was texting, was driving. She admitted to knowing so in her deposition. Therefore, she was “electronically present” in the accident, thus causing same!

So please, DON’T “text and drive” and explain to your family, friends and children that not only texting and driving can get you into trouble these days, but texting the person who IS driving can have you in the same hot water!

Contact: MKK – Attorneys at Law: 1-877-NJLAW4U

Franck’s Compounding Pharmacy – Ongoing Investigation of Fungal Endophthalmitis Cases

James Martin — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:59:10 +0000

[UPDATED 05/04/2012] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised healthcare personnel to avoid use of compounded products labeled as sterile from Franck’s during the ongoing investigation. Franck’s Lab has recalled one additional lot of triamcinolone acetonide P.F. 80mg/ml. The recall involved four physicians and five prescriptions.

[UPDATED 04/20/2012] FDA issues second warning to physicians regarding cvertain compounded drugs from Franck’s. FDA received reports of eye infections in patients who were given injections of drug products containing triamcinolone during eye surgery.

[Posted 03/19/2012]

AUDIENCE: Ophthalmology, Risk Manager

ISSUE: FDA has received reports of fungal endophthalmitis (eye infections) in patients who were given Brilliant Blue G (BBG), supplied by Franck’s Pharmacy, during eye surgeries. Clinicians in several states reported the adverse events. FDA, along with CDC and local and state public health agencies, are actively investigating these adverse events.

BACKGROUND: The BBG was supplied by Franck’s Compounding Lab, Ocala, Florida. Franck’s Pharmacy issued a recall on March 9, 2012, of all lots of Brilliant Blue G and issued a recall letter (link below). Brilliant Blue G is not an approved drug in the U.S.

RECOMMENDATION: Immediately quarantine and return any remaining Brilliant Blue G product from Franck’s Compounding Lab. This includes all lots of Brilliant Blue G received from Franck’s.

FDA requests that practitioners report to MedWatch any cases of endophthalmitis, fungal or bacterial, that occurred within the last six months, associated with eye surgery in which Brilliant Blue G from any source was used.

Read Article: Med Watch

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How Malpractice Claims Help Doctors Avoid Mistakes

James Martin — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:44:36 +0000

Diagnostic errors are the leading cause of malpractice suits, accounting for as many as 40% of cases and costing insurers an average of $300,000 per case to settle, studies of resolved claims show. Peter Pronovost, a patient-safety researcher at Johns Hopkins University, estimates that diagnostic errors kill 40,000 to 80,000 hospitalized patients annually, based on autopsy studies over the past four decades.

Read Article: The Wall Street Journal

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Farm Glass & Metal Spiral Tea Light Holder Recalled by Christmas Tree Shops Due to Fire Hazard

James Martin — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:33:51 +0000

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of about 6,200 glass and metal tea light holders due to a fire hazard. Imported by Nantucket Distributing Co., Inc., the agency said the product’s design can cause the tea lights to “burn with a high flame” that can burn users. The company has received one report of a tea light burning a consumer’s hand. Staff Report, PR Newswire 05/01/2012

Read Article: PR Newswire

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U.S. officials seize contaminated ultrasound gel in NJ

James Martin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:07:29 +0000

U.S. officials on Wednesday confiscated ultrasound gel in New Jersey that health regulators believe infected 16 surgical patients with potentially deadly bacteria. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the gel posed “serious health risks” after finding samples of the product were contaminated with two different strains of bacteria.

Read Article: Health News

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STOK Gas Grills Recalled by One World Technologies Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

James Martin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:15:03 +0000

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have announced a recall of about 88,000 gas grills imported by One World Technologies, Inc. due to a potential fire hazard. The agency said the STOK gas grill can leak propane, which can ignite and cause a fire. The company has received 569 reports of leaking propane, but no injuries have been reported. Staff Report, PR Newswire 04/18/2012

Read Article: PR Newswire

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Pro translators help avoid medical errors

James Martin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:09:32 +0000

Having professional translators in the emergency department isn’t only good practice, but also could be an imperative to avoiding dangerous miscommunication with non-English-speaking patients. Professional translators with official training, as opposed to family or friends acting as translators, helped limit errors, according to a study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Read Article: Fierce Healthcare

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Mass. hospitals promise openness, apologies and settlements

James Martin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:55:33 +0000

Seven Massachusetts hospitals plan to offer patients harmed by medical errors a prompt apology and financial settlements before they resort to lawsuits, part of a major new initiative to improve the state’s cumbersome medical malpractice system.

A coalition of physician, hospital, and patient groups planned to release details Wednesday of the initiative, called “Road Map to Reform,’’ which they predict will increase reporting of medical mistakes and cut down on lengthy litigation that drives up health care costs and fuels distrust between caregivers and patients.

Read Article: The Boston Globe

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