Bair Hugger
Surgical Warming Blankets
3M’s Bair Hugger system is used in a hospital or surgical setting to help patients maintain their core body temperature throughout their procedure. It’s comprised of a disposable inflatable blanket and a reusable forced-air warming blower that have been linked to increased risk of infection following joint replacement surgery.
If you or a loved one has suffered a deep infection following a hip or knee replacement, contact one of our Bair Hugger lawyers. Our team will handle your case and make sure you are represented fairly. Leave the sleepless nights to us.
Case Quick Facts
Studies suggest that the Bair Hugger may increase the spread of contaminant particles during surgery and may increase the risk of serious infection during orthopedic surgery, such as hip and knee implant procedures.
In knee and hip surgeries, the Bair Hugger may increase the risk of developing an infection deep in the joint. These infections are resistant to antibiotics and often result in additional surgeries, possible amputation, and death.
3M, one of the world’s largest companies, manufactures and distributes the Bair Hugger. The Bair Hugger was originally developed by Dr. Scott D. Augustine in 1988 and was sold to 3M in 2009.
Litigation status is currently active. Hundreds of orthopedic surgical patients have filed suit against 3M alleging that the Bair Hugger caused their infections. The Federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) is centralized in the District of Minnesota and assigned to Judge Joan N. Ericksen. GoldenbergLaw Partner Noah Lauricella is a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the PSC’s Bellwether Committee. Consolidated proceedings are also moving forward in Ramsey County, Minnesota before Judge William H. Leary III. The second bellwether trial in the MDL is scheduled to begin May 2019.
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If you or a loved one developed a deep joint infection following hip or knee replacement surgery, please call one of our Bair Hugger infection lawyers for a free consultation. Leave the sleepless nights to us.
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What is the Bair Hugger?
- Bair Hugger forced air warming blankets have been used during a variety of surgeries to decrease the risk of hypothermia by circulating warm air over the body during surgery.
- The Bair Hugger was developed by Dr. Scott D. Augustine in 1988 and sold to 3M in 2009. Dr. Augustine now says the device is no longer safe for use during orthopedic surgery.
- In a 2010 statement made to The New York Times regarding his invention, Dr. Augustine said: “I am very proud of the old technology [that I created] … but I am also proud to spread the word that there is a problem.”
Why is the Bair Hugger Dangerous?
Studies suggest that the Bair Hugger may increase the spread of contaminant particles during surgery and may increase the risk of serious infection during orthopedic surgery, such as hip and knee implant procedures.
In knee and hip surgeries, the Bair Hugger may increase the risk of developing an infection deep in the joint. These infections are resistant to antibiotics and often result in additional surgeries, possible amputation, and death.
The Bair Hugger has two components:
- A disposable inflatable blanket
- A reusable forced air warming blower
- Cool sterile air is pulled in by the forced air warming blower, flowing over the patient’s body.
- Waste heat is pushed towards the non-sterile floor, which then rises through convection currents as bacteria-contaminated air.
- The forced air warming blower takes in the contaminated air, spreading bacteria over the orthopedic patient’s open surgical wound.
Current Litigation
Over 3,000 surgical patients have filed suit against 3M alleging that the Bair Hugger blankets were the cause of their infections. In December 2015, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized all federal Bair Hugger cases in multidistrict litigation (MDL) No. 2666 in the District of Minnesota. The MDL is assigned to Judge Joan Ericksen. The cases in the MDL, while joined together for investigatory purposes, are still separate and distinct regarding individual causation and damages.
In their complaints, the plaintiffs allege they have suffered significant injuries on account of the use of Bair Hugger warming blankets during their orthopedic surgeries. Plaintiffs also allege that 3M:
- Knew about the risks involved with the Bair Hugger
- Failed to warn of those risks
- Failed to redesign the product to increase its safety
- Fought to hide and denounce scientific data demonstrating such risks
Why Choose GoldenbergLaw?
When it comes to Bair Hugger lawsuits, our team is ready to help you discuss your options. Along with working on Bair Hugger cases before, we’ve spent years working on a variety of other drug and medical related cases, and we feel confident that we can give you the representation you deserve.
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Footnotes
[1] For example: 1) McGovern, P.D., et al. Forced-air warming and ultra-clean ventilation do not mix: an investigation of theatre ventilation, patient warming and joint replacement infection in orthopaedics. J Bone and Joint Surg Br 2011; 93-B: 1537-44; 2) Legg, Al, et al. Forced-air patient warming blankets disrupt unidirectional airflow. Bone Joint J 2013; 95-B: 407-10; 3) Belani, K., et al. Patient warming excess heat: the effects on orthopedic operating room ventilation performance. Anesthesia & Analgesia 2013; 117: 406-11; 4) Legg, A., et al. Do forced air patient-warming devices disrupt unidirectional downward airflow? J Bone and Joint Surg Br 2012; 94-B: 244-56.