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Breathing Machines

All articles tagged with #breathing machines

health2 years ago•17 min saved

"Philips Breathing Machine Recall: Personal Stories and CEO's Approval"

Millions of people who relied on Philips breathing machines for years are facing painful choices after a defect in the devices was discovered, potentially causing serious harm including cancer, kidney and lung problems, and severe respiratory infections. The recall of ventilators and sleep apnea machines revealed that an industrial foam inside the devices could break apart and release harmful particles and fumes. Thousands of consumers have reported unexplained illnesses, and the death count linked to the recalled machines has risen to over 370. Lawsuits against Philips are ongoing, with families accusing the company of failing to warn customers about the risks.

via ProPublica|

#breathing-machines #health #health-risks

health2 years ago•7 min saved

Philips Executives Approved Sale of Defective Breathing Machines Despite Health Risks

Testimony in federal court reveals that a top executive at Philips approved the sale of defective breathing machines by distributors, despite tests showing health risks to patients. The company had halted shipping the devices from its factories near Pittsburgh after discovering the dangers, but allowed distributors to continue selling them. Philips had kept over 3,700 complaints about the faulty devices secret for 11 years before initiating a recall. The decision to allow the sale of the defective devices while risks were known drew criticism from public health experts. The parent company is facing numerous lawsuits and calls for investigation and action from Congress.

via ProPublica|

#breathing-machines #health #health-risks

health3 years ago•30 min saved

"Philips Concealed Thousands of Complaints on Dangerous Sleep Apnea Machines, Boosting Profits"

Philips Respironics, a major medical device company, kept complaints about dangerous foam in its breathing machines secret for over a decade while continuing to sell the devices. The foam used in the machines was found to crumble and release potentially toxic and carcinogenic particles into users' airways. Despite receiving thousands of complaints, Philips withheld the majority of them from the FDA and did not launch a formal investigation until 2019. The company continued to aggressively market and sell the machines, including to vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and veterans. Users of the machines reported unexplained illnesses and newly diagnosed cancers. Philips finally issued a recall in June 2021, acknowledging the health risks.

via ProPublica|

#breathing-machines #fda #health