Most of the time, a routine blood transfusion is not considered a risk. Sadly, there are always exceptions. That was the case in 2019 when a patient died at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It sparked a federal investigation that uncovered systemic safety lapses at one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation.
When negligence is involved in a medical error, the team here at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. takes special interest. Our team would like to review the details of this tragic fatal blood transfusion case and discuss legal options if you or a family member is affected by a medical error.
If you’ve been injured because of a medical professional’s mistakes or poor judgment, our law firm can help. For a free consultation with our medical malpractice attorneys in Northwest Indiana, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our Merrillville law office by phone at (219) 883-2852.
About the Fatal Blood Transfusion: What Happened at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2018
As NBC reported, a nurse at MD Anderson Cancer Center gave a 23-year-old leukemia patient a blood transfusion in December 2018. Unfortunately, the blood had become contaminated with bacteria, and none of the medical staff was aware that this had happened.
Worse, there’s no evidence that anyone on staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center was actively monitoring the patient’s vital signs in the crucial moments during and after the procedure. Had someone been monitoring the patient, they would have noticed a dangerous drop in her blood pressure.
The patient died a little more than a day after the blood transfusion.
What a Federal Investigation Uncovered About the Fatal Blood Transfusion
A federal investigation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found systemic safety lapses at MD Anderson Cancer Center that contributed to this preventable death. Most notably, the investigation found that nurses at the hospital did not monitor the vital signs in 18 of 33 other blood transfusion patients.
During the investigation, nurses at the hospital told federal regulators that they did not realize they were supposed to monitor blood transfusion patients regularly. They said that they typically checked a patient’s vitals before the transfusion and right after the transfusion, but they sometimes left a patient’s vitals unchecked for hours.
Hospital officials have since stated they would improve training for their nurses and require hourly checks on patients while they undergo a blood transfusion.
How Common Are Fatal Blood Transfusions?
Fatal blood transfusions are extremely rare and preventable. Many experts say that these kinds of medical mistakes should never happen.
Other examples of these so-called never-events in the medical field include:
- Leaving medical equipment inside a patient after surgery
- Operating on the wrong body part or the wrong patient
- Giving patients contaminated drugs
Recent Numbers on Fatal Blood Transfusions in the United States
The CDC estimates that 14 million units of blood are transfused every year. According to a report on fatal blood transfusions from the FDA, there were 54 fatalities that were potentially transfusion-related in 2022. The FDA noted that of these 54 fatalities, some may have been related to a blood transfusion:
- 30 demonstrated clear, probable, or possible evidence that the transfusion caused or contributed to the death
- 17 did not show evidence that a transfusion caused or contributed to the death, but the possibility cannot be fully ruled out
- 7 conclusively were not caused by the blood transfusion
When fatalities occurred, the common causes of death included allergic reactions, transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), and haemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR).
What You Should Take Away from This Tragic Medical Error
As we have said many times before, the chances are in your favor for minimal risk when undergoing a routine procedure at most hospitals. This is especially true if the doctors and staff have a solid rating of positive performance.
However, as in this case, mistakes can be made anywhere, even in some of the most highly regarded hospitals in the country. When these medical errors occur, you need to have legal advocates on your side to hold healthcare providers and facilities accountable.
What to Do If You’re Injured Due to Mistakes at a Medical Facility
If you’ve undergone a medical procedure and are concerned that there was a mistake, here are a few things you should do to ensure your health:
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have an emergency or any major health concerns
- Discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor or medical professional
- Document what has happened, including the treatment, your symptoms, any follow-up care, and any relevant date or time information
- Ask for your medical records
- Seek out a second opinion
- Speak with medical malpractice attorneys
Indiana’s Statute of Limitations for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim
It’s crucial that you act promptly after experiencing any kind of medical error. In the state of Indiana, you have two years from the date of the medical error to file a legal action. There is also a discovery rule, which allows the statute of limitations to begin tolling the moment an injury is finally discovered.
While there are some exceptions to the two-year deadline, it’s best to speak with our Merrillville medical malpractice lawyers as soon as possible. This will help you learn if you have a viable claim and what steps you need to take next to seek compensation.
Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your Medical Malpractice Case
There are many law firms that work on medical malpractice claims in Northern Indiana, but few have the history and client focus of Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. Based in Merrillville, our medical malpractice attorneys will fight for you aggressively and stand by your side until justice is served.
Here are a few reasons why local residents trust our law firm when they’ve experienced a major medical error:
- We Have a Long History in Northwest Indiana: Our firm was established in 1988, with a focus on being the guardians of justice in Northern Indiana. Over the years, our lawyers have helped working families throughout the Hoosier State after major accidents and medical errors.
- We Have More Than 75 Years of Combined Experience: Our lawyers have over 75 years of combined legal experience. We bring that knowledge to every medical negligence case that comes our way.
- We Take a Team Approach to Every Case: When you work with us, our team collaborates with you. This team approach to cases helps us identify the best possible approach to your medical malpractice claim.
- Free Legal Consultations: After a serious medical mistake, you don’t want to see another bill. Your consultation with us is free. We’ll take time to listen to you because your voice and your story deserve to be heard.
- 24/7 Availability for Our Clients: Our law firm takes calls 24/7, and our attorneys always get back to you as soon as possible. If any questions or concerns about your case come up, our lawyers are here to offer answers and reassurance.
- Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis: Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means if we don’t win, you don’t have to pay. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our success is tied to yours, so we always consider your best interests.
Contact Our Law Firm to Speak with Skilled Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you or someone you know has become seriously ill or injured because of a bad blood transfusion, our team is ready to advocate for you. As we noted, these problems are rare and preventable, and you deserve compensation for what you’ve experienced. For a free consultation with our medical malpractice lawyers in Merrillville, contact our law firm today. You can also call our law office at (219) 883-2852.