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In mid-September, 2004, a Durham elevator company disposed of used
hydraulic fluid in empty detergent drums while performing maintenance
at Duke Health Raleigh Hospital. Through a series of errors, the
hydraulic fluid in those drums was used instead of detergent in
the sterilizing process for instruments used on patients in surgery
at Duke Health Raleigh and Durham Regional Hospital from early in
November until late in December 2004.
During that time, hospital employees complained about a greasy
feel to surgical tools, and some patients complained of post-surgical
pain, but no serious inquiry was undertaken to uncover the causes
until late December, 2004. As a result of these circumstances, according
to Duke's records, approximately 3,500 patients were operated on
with surgical instruments which had been washed with hydraulic fluid
rather than surgical detergent, as would be proper. The breadth
and depth of the impact on the health of the patients operated on
is still being explored.
The Inquiry
A more complete understanding of the facts is critical to health
care planning for the victims and to the improvement of medical
safety practices at Duke Hospitals and medical facilities nationwide.
You can help with this important task. The major areas in which
open questions remain are listed below. Click on items on the list
for more information on the type of information needed, and please
let us know if you have any feedback on these important open inquiry
items.
• Elevator and hydraulic fluid
disposal procedures at Duke Hospitals
• Surgical sterilization procedures at
Duke Hospitals
• Reports of abnormal appearance or feel
of surgical instruments
• Duke Hospitals' response to learning
of use of hydraulic fluid in sterilization
• Record-keeping policies concerning paper,
computer, photo or film records of surgery
• Studies of health
effects of hydraulic fluid exposure on Duke staff or employees
• Studies relating to analysis of the
contents or contaminants in the hydraulic fluid
• Standards and practices, local, state
or federal compliance reporting
• Duke management involvement affecting
protocol or methodology of studies
The inquiry is paid for solely by the Temple Law Firm, PLLC, but
is not an advertisement for legal services. This inquiry is not
affiliated or associated with any other law firm or group other
than Temple Law Firm, PLLC. This inquiry into the Duke Hospitals
surgical patient exposure to hydraulic fluid is being conducted
on an independent basis, and is not connected with, sponsored by,
or controlled by, Duke Hospitals or any related organization. Your
confidentiality will be protected to the fullest extent of the law.
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