Medical Devices Result in 70,000 ER Visits

It is reported that more than 70,000 people visit the emergency room each year suffering from complications from medical devices. The leader of the pack causing these visits is the contact lense. Approximately one-fourth of the problems resulted from eye abrasions and infections in those wearing contact lenses. The results are often due to people wearing the lenses for too long a period of time without cleaning them.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also found that puncture wounds from hypodermic needles breaking off in the skin while injecting medicine or illegal drugs were other reasons for the emergency room visits. Also, young children with ear tubes that have become infected and tears in the skin from pelvic devices used during gynecological exams in teen girls are other causes.

The more serious issues involved implanted devices, including brain shunts for children with hydrocephalus, otherwise known as water on the brain. This category also included chest catheters for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at home and insulin pumps for diabetic patients resulting in infections and overdoses. Only six per cent of the 70,000 visits resulted in hospitalization.

Researchers conducting the studies analyzed medical records from ER visits that were reported in a national injury surveillance system.