Manufacturing companies 3M Company and Arizant HealthCare Inc. are facing a new Bair Hugger lawsuit from a patient who suffered a deep joint infection.

North Carolina plaintiff James R. is filing this Bair Hugger lawsuit against the manufacturing companies, stating they failed to warn him about the risk of Bair Hugger joint infection.

James alleged he underwent arthroplasty surgery on May 29, 2012, during which the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming system was used to regulate his body temperature,

Overview of Bair Hugger Complications

The Bair Hugger is a forced air warming blanket often used during surgeries to regulate patients’ body temperature. These blankets are draped over patients who are under anesthesia, which impairs the body’s ability to control its temperature. Keeping the patient warm during surgery tends to reduce bleeding and improve recovery time.

Bair Hugger warming blankets are commonly used during hip and knee replacement surgeries. However, a number of patients have allegedly developed Bair Hugger joint infection soon after using the device. Plaintiffs like James allege the Bair Hugger pushes air up from near the floor of the operating room, possibly driving contaminants up to the surgical site on the patient’s body.

According to the Bair Hugger lawsuit, James had developed a deep joint infection. James’ medical records indicate that bacterial pathogens were discovered, creating the need for intensive treatment methods for the Bair Hugger joint infection.

James says he had to undergo a IV antibiotic treatment regime, revision surgery, irrigation, debridement, and multiple procedures to treat the Bair Hugger joint infection. During all times relevant, James says, he only had the Bait Hugger used for its intended purpose and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

James alleges the companies knew of the risks the Bair Hugger imposed but made not effort to warn him about deep joint infection. Several studies have been conducted observing Bair Hugger and surgical infections, with researchers agreeing that further investigation is needed to adequately determine the risk.

One of these studies, conducted in 2011, found that 58% of forced-air warmers studied had “produced and emitted airborne contaminants.” While this study did not conclusively find a causation effect, researchers did warn against higher chances of deep joint infection.

Furthermore, studies have found that Bair Hugger forced air had significantly contaminated previously sterile airflow in operating rooms. These studies have also found that Bair Huggers cause convection currents that move air from non-sterile areas like the floor.

James states that neither he nor his physicians were aware of the risk of Bair Hugger joint infection, and that he never would have agreed to use the forced air warming device. Arizant HealthCare and 3M Company are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), from claimants alleging Bair Hugger joint infection.

The Bair Hugger Joint Infection Lawsuit is Case No. 0:16-cv-03569, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.