A Maryland resident has recently filed a lawsuit against 3M, manufacturer of the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Device, claiming that the allegedly defective device caused her to suffer a serious injury and incur significant medical bills.

Plaintiff Alice C. states that she underwent hip replacement surgery in December 2011, during which the anesthesiologist used a Bair Hugger device to keep her warm.

According to her Bair Hugger lawsuit, during the surgery Alice developed a periprosthetic infection in her open surgical site, allegedly due to the introduction of contaminants by the Bair Hugger device. Alice’s infection turned out to be from Staphylococcus aureas (more commonly referred to as STAPH).

The Bair Hugger lawsuit describes how as a result of her infection, Alice had to undergo several more surgeries from 2012 to 2015 to treat ongoing health issues.

Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Device

The Bair Hugger is a device that contains a heater and a blower that is connected to a disposable blanket, which is placed over a patient during surgery. The Bair Hugger is commonly used during hip replacement surgery and knee replacement surgery.

The blanket is typically placed on top of the patient during surgery, though sometimes it is placed under the patient, to keep the patient warm during surgery. The warm air blowing on a patient’s exposed skin assists the patient in maintaining a higher body temperature, which in turn leads to more favorable surgical outcomes.

Alice’s lawsuit raises concerns about the air flow produced by the device. Her filing states that “The hot air produced by Bair Hugger FAW accumulates under the surgical drape covering the patient and escapes from under the surgical drape below the level of the surgical table or at the head end of the surgical table.

This escaped air creates air flow currents that flow against the downward air flow of the operating room. As this warmed air rises, it deposits bacteria from the floor of the surgical room into the surgical site.”

The lawsuit claims that 3M changed the air filtration system sometime between 2002 and 2009, allegedly reducing the air filter’s efficiency and allowing the internal air flow paths to become contaminated with pathogens.

Alice brings forth seven counts against 3M, including negligence, strict liability, breaches of express and implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment.

The Bair Hugger Lawsuit is Case No. 0:15-cv-04044 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.