Workers at the University of Kansas Hospital allegedly failed to properly sterilize and disinfect open-heart surgery devices, leading to M. chimaera infections and several deaths, according to multiple lawsuits filed by affected families.
The Infection and Its Devastating Impact
Darrell Schroll, a local business owner and Vietnam veteran from Manhattan, Kansas, contracted a Mycobacterium chimaera infection after undergoing open-heart surgery at the University of Kansas Hospital in 2019.
His daughter, Kristy Schroll, described his condition to The Kansas City Star, saying he was “skin and bones” and that the infection spread to his eyes, brain, heart, lungs, and liver. Schroll’s family claims that the infection was caused by a contaminated heater-cooler unit (HCU) used during his surgery.
Lawsuit Filed Against Hospital and Device Manufacturer
Kristy Schroll has filed a lawsuit in Wyandotte County, accusing the University of Kansas Hospital and the manufacturer of the device, LivaNova USA Inc., of medical malpractice. The lawsuit alleges that hospital staff failed to properly sterilize and disinfect the LivaNova 3T Heater-Cooler device before using it in Darrell Schroll’s open-heart surgery.
The petition also accuses the hospital staff of failing to inform Schroll’s family about his exposure to the infection and failing to properly diagnose and treat the infection in a timely manner.
Multiple Lawsuits Over Contaminated Devices
According to The Kansas City Star, more than 30 lawsuits have been filed in Wyandotte County by individuals claiming they or their loved ones contracted M. chimaera infections from improperly cleaned HCUs at the University of Kansas Hospital. These lawsuits claim that at least 25 patients were infected, with 11 of them dying from the infection. The others are reportedly suffering from life-altering health conditions.
Device Changes After Lawsuits
Kristy Schroll’s legal petition states that the hospital has since replaced the contaminated HCUs with “new versions” that include changes designed to reduce the risk of infection. Despite this, the lawsuits allege that these incidents could have been prevented if proper sterilization procedures had been followed.
Widow Seeks Justice for Husband’s Death
Thelma Wood, a widow from Olathe, Kansas, has also filed a lawsuit after her husband, Ron Wood, contracted a fatal M. chimaera infection during open-heart surgery at the same hospital in 2019. Wood died in February 2021 after a long battle with the infection. His widow is seeking $20 million in damages. She expressed her heartbreak, saying, “It’s just wrecked my world. Nobody should hurt like this. Nobody. Just for something that could have been avoided.”
Alleged Malpractice and Negligence
Thelma Wood criticized the hospital’s alleged failure to clean the devices, noting that the instructions for proper cleaning were available. She expressed deep disappointment over the impact this incident has had on many families, stating, “We could have had more years together — many more years together.”
The Schroll Family’s Grief and Advocacy
Kristy Schroll expressed the profound grief her family feels, saying, “We feel like time was stolen.” She described her father as the “rock of the family” and expressed the emotional toll the infection had on him as he faced defeat, anger, and fear. Kristy hopes her lawsuit, and others like it, will raise awareness of what she considers “clear negligence” and ensure justice for the victims.
Calls for Accountability
Kristy Schroll urged the University of Kansas Health System to be held accountable for its actions. She believes there were missed opportunities to investigate the cause of the infections once they began appearing and is hopeful that the lawsuits will lead to greater public awareness and accountability.
Hospital and Manufacturer Respond
The University of Kansas Health System declined to comment directly but issued a statement from general counsel Dan Peters. He stated that the hospital had taken steps to keep patients safe based on the information available at the time. He also confirmed that the hospital had replaced the devices with new models designed to reduce the risk of infection.
LivaNova, the manufacturer of the heater-cooler devices, also responded, emphasizing its commitment to patient care and product quality. The company stated that it stands behind the 3T Heater-Cooler device and has worked with global regulators to mitigate the risk of infection. LivaNova indicated that it is vigorously defending its actions in the ongoing litigation.
