A well-known patient advocate now urges surgical patients to avoid forced-air warming—even to change hospitals if necessary.
The advocate, Rosie Bartel, speaks from experience. Infected with MRSA during a knee-replacement procedure at a hospital using forced-air warming, Bartel has undergone 27 subsequent operations— including amputation of her leg to the hip. The MRSA remains active.
The advocate, Rosie Bartel, speaks from experience. Infected with MRSA during a knee-replacement procedure at a hospital using forced-air warming, Bartel has undergone 27 subsequent operations— including amputation of her leg to the hip. The MRSA remains active.
After
researching how the pathogens rose from the floor of the operating room
into the sterile field, Bartel concluded that Bair Hugger warming blew
particles into her wound, causing the MRSA infection.
Bartel has a website (www.RosiesDream.com) to share her findings and give her advice to patients. Click on the video below. She has some powerful things to say.
Bartel has a website (www.RosiesDream.com) to share her findings and give her advice to patients. Click on the video below. She has some powerful things to say.
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A former educator, Bartel works closely with Partnership for Patients and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. She will be co-chair of IHI’s national conference this year.
