|
 Medical Abbreviation: A Closer Look At UDF or Unretrieved Device Fragments
Written By:
Paulette Campbell RN-BC, BSN, MJ
Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
Medical Abbreviation |
Meaning |
UDF |
Unretrieved Device Fragments |
The FDA has issued a public health warning regarding UDF’s. UDF’s are fragments of medical devices that separate unintentionally and remains in the patient after the procedure. Often times, patients are not aware that a UDF remains in them. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health receives approximately 1,000 adverse event reports related to UDF’s on a yearly basis. Since 2003, there have been seventy-two deaths and 4,675 injuries from UDF’s. These reports have included more than 200 different medical devices.
Adverse effects experienced by patients with UDF’s have included; infection, perforation, obstruction of blood vessels and death. Factors that can influence the severity of the effects of the UDF include; location of the fragment, potential migration of the fragment, biocompatibility of the device materials, and patient anatomy. During MRI procedures, the magnetic fields can cause metallic fragments from UDF’s to migrate and radiofrequency fields may cause them to heat which results in internal tissue damage including burns.
Examples of UDF’s are broken stints, torn balloons, fracture wires, catheter tips and drill bits. A more common example is the wire guides from the catheters used for heart operations. They have been known to break or fracture during surgery. Another example is the bone screws used for orthopedic procedures. Another concern with UDF’s is that they may be made of materials that are not made to last for an extended period of time in a body.
Reviewing cases that involve UDF’s requires a careful look at the medical history of the claimant. Timelines are critical factors for these cases in helping to delineate the first symptom of the issue in relation to the procedure where the UDF occurred as well as in determining the patient’s attempts in getting medical attention. Timelines are also critical in terms of when the actual diagnosis was made and when the subsequent treatment was given. If you have a case regarding a UDF, contact our office today for further information about how we can find solutions to meet your case specific needs. You can reach us at 630-551-0978 or e-mail at info@medicaljurisprudence.com. |
