Medtronic dumps liability onto the lap of PCP’s!
We received a document from Medtronic about an insulin pump device that has the ability to be hacked, injuring the patient.
According to the document, the issue was identified in May of 2018, almost four years ago. Medtronic wants us to sign this document and return it to them, via fax, taking responsibility for dealing with the defective device. There is no patient name. There is not even a voice phone number for Medtronic. Yet, it appears to be legitimate. We do not order or supervise insulin pumps. That’s why Endocrinologists were created.
The document requiring a signature is quite comprehensive, shuffling all responsibility onto the doctor for contacting and counseling our patients who may have this device and advising them on alternatives. We are also supposed to assist patients in the process of physically returning the item to Medtronic. REALLY?!?!
We are ignoring Medtronic’s demand, but they keep resending the multi-page fax every day. Isn’t it grand that a company can collect lots of money on a defective product and then shuffle the responsibility onto the primary care doctor?
If I was still practicing, I’d take a thick black magic marker and write on the fax words to the effect, “GO E’FFFF OFF WICKHEADS!!!” and fax it back to them. Unsigned of course.
During your free time- your lunch hour or Wednesday afternoon golf time- they would like you to help save them from lawsuits by counseling these unfortunate patients. If you acknowledge receipt of said fax, then you will be a party in any lawsuit involving your patients…..so plead ignorance. I am surprised their corporate attorneys did not have them send you a certified return receipt letter……then you would have to be more creative and say your disgruntled receptionist likely hid the letter from you. WHY DO THEY NOT DO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS? Then at least you would have these patients calling your office and your receptionist would have reason to schedule appointments and then you would generate more business- which technically the insurance companies could turn around and charge back to Medtronics. But then again I can just imagine these unhappy patients refusing to pay co-pays and deductibles to leave you holding the bag.
I am wondering how much pay their board and officers make at Medtronics and I am sure they have a good insurance policy to cover corporate liability in these situations.