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Heparin Contamination Has Wide Scope

Jamie Sheller
Jamie Sheller
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 475
Posted by Jamie ShellerAugust 27, 2008 7:22 PM
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Contamination of the blood thinner heparin was discovered earlier this year. One of the largest US suppliers of heparin is Baxter International, and Baxter recalled most of its heparin in February 2008 after patient deaths were linked to the product. Accorinding to the FDA, US deaths linked to contaminated heparin has increased to 81, up from the earlier count of 62. Twelve companies in China are the sources of the contaminated raw product that was part of the heparin linked to deaths. According to Chinese officials, even though the contaminated product came from China, they do not believe that the contamination caused the deaths. The contaminated product affected several countries, including France, Germany, Canada, Italy, and the US. According to the FDA, the contaminated product entered the global market in 2007. Testing has found contaminated heparin in IV drug products and some diagnostic tests. It is still unclear how the contaminated raw product became mixed with heparin.

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Maxine Wehling
Posted by Maxine Wehling
September 12, 2008 10:02 PM

Jamie,
In Dec 2007, my Mother had a heart attack, and was given Heparin bolus IV at Ephrata Hospital. She died 3 days later of Renal failure. I am a licensed health care professional in Nebraska. How can I find out if this hospital had the contaminated Heparin? She was transported to Lancaster General for a stent procedure, I have her medical records that show she received an over dose of vasopressin when taken to ICU. She was given .4 units/min, instead of the 0.04 units/min standard dosing.{10 times normal dose}. This is documented by the nurse, doctor and pharmacy department, and a comment is noted about "complications secondary to rate". What is your impression of this case. Thank you, Maxine Wehling

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