Man Got Burn Injury from MRI Scan, Threaten to Sue Hospital
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines have undoubtedly been very helpful for doctors to diagnose any current/potential health issue that’s ailing patients, but unfortunately, even the smallest mistake/misstep could potentially cause various unwanted accidents that can be fatal to patients. In addition, the MRI scan room is proven to be the most dangerous room in every hospital, and even doctors can accidentally make mistakes when operating an MRI.
For instance, in Summer 2016, a California man named Nick Kruth got heavily burned during one of his MRI scan sessions in a California hospital. Kruth, who has diabetes, went to Glendale Adventist Medical Center after experiencing low blood pressure and weakness in his legs, according to KTLA.
EKG Diagnostic Tab
Routine tests ordered by doctors included an electrocardiogram (EKG) and an MRI.
Kruth told KTLA that a tab from the EKG containing metal was left on his stomach before a technician placed him into the MRI machine.
He said he felt severe pain and complained, while the technician occasionally asked him if he wanted to stop. But he said he was confused and uncertain of anything other than his agony.
“So I think at that time, ‘maybe if I’m gonna die in there, let me die,’” Kruth recalled.
When it was all over, a technician discovered a hole in his side, where the tab and metal had burned deep into his flesh. Kruth said the wound was almost 2 inches deep.
“She opened up the gown and said, ‘Oh my God,’” Kruth said.
Kruth’s son, Sam, started documenting the injury with his cellphone.
“He did describe that when they peeled it off, it was still sizzling, like a cooking egg,” Sam Kruth said. “Some flesh went with it too.”
A year and a half later, Kruth said his MRI burn injury still hasn’t healed properly. He still feels pain and discomfort and has since retained attorneys to file a lawsuit against the hospital. He said the hospital hasn’t apologized for the accident, despite the awful mistake they created due to their lack of security & professionalism. Kruth said that his injury has been the reason for him to have continuous nightmares.
Conal Doyle, Kruth’s attorney, said the technician ignored his client’s pleas for help. “They didn’t do a good enough job checking when he went in,” Jim Bulger, another attorney, said. In addition, the hospital has not issued an apology to Kruth regarding the tragedy that happened to him, Kruth is now planning to take a legal route to sue.
Easy Solution to Prevent MRI Injury?
Luckily, MRI accidents like this can easily be dodged. Our team of researchers at Sound Imaging have finally figure out a simple solution to prevent a problem like this. Through years of innovative research, development, and design, we’ve created our Bi-Directional, a wireless, 2-way communication system that allows clear, high-quality communication between operator and patient. It also allows the patient to relax by listening to music, decreasing anxiety during a scan. With MRI Comfort Comm, MRI operator would have full control to take action to prevent any fatal MRI accident from happening.
Sound Imaging is your one-stop shop for all MRI system and comfort suite products that are not only high-quality but also certified low-price. Please, feel free to visit our website to check all our MRI comfort suite products including the MRI Visors, MRI Stereo, MRI BoreCam, and MRI PMT.
Materials partly provided by the KTLA.
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