Many patients are very nervous about their defective Guidant Corp. defibrillator model and are eager to learn if their model has any reported failures.
Which models are at risk?
The Guidant Corp. models at risk include: Ventak Prizm 2 DR, Contak Renewal, Contak Renewal 2, Ventak Prizm AVT, Vitality AVT, Renewal 3 AVT, Renewal 4 AVT. By Model number, these are: Defibrillator Model #s:
0470; 0476; 0481; 0870; 0970; 0972; 0976; 0981;
1170; 1171; 1172; 1174; 1175; 1176; 1180; 1181; 1184; 1186; 1187; 1241
1270; 1272; 1273; 1274; 1275; 1276; 1280; 1283; 1284; 1285; 1286; 1349;
1380; 1384; 1385; 1480; 1483; 1484; 1485; 1499; 1861; 1900;
A135; A155; B301; H135; H155; H170; H173; H175; H177; H179; H190; H195; H197; H199; H230; H235; H239;
M150; M155; M157; M159; M170; M175; M177; and M179.
As far as pacemaker recall, there is concern over Guidant Corp. Pacemaker Model #s
0470; 0476; 0481; 0870; 0970; 0972; 0981; 1170; 1171; 1172; 1174; 1175; 1176; 1180; 1181; 1184; 1186; 1187; 1241; 1270; 1272; 1273; 1274; 1275;
1276; 1280; 1283; 1284; 1285; 1286; 1349; 1380; 1384; 1385; 1480; 1484;
1485; and 1499.
All in all, there are tens of thousands of units that need to be replaced or at least are subject of this recall.
What will replacement cost? And who will pay this expense?
The cost to the company could be large. Stock analysts predict that the defective defibrillator model recall could cost Guidant Corp. as much as $400,000,000, with the cost of each defibrillator replacement ranging between $20,000 and $30,000. However, this cost only covers the cost of the defibrillator model. In many cases, it will not cover the cost of surgery. Thus, patients with insurance will have to rely on their insurance company to pay over the cost of the surgery. And for people without insurance, it likely means that our tax dollars are going to go to pay the doctors to replace these defective units. This is shameful on the part of Guidant Corporation. Not only should Guidant COrp. pay for the cost of the defective unit, but they should be held responsible to reimburse the insurance companies and to reimburse our tax dollars paid through medicaid and medicare.
Further, Guidant Corporation should be held to account for the mental anguish, pain, and suffering for those having to undergo the surgery associated with the replacement.
Why should Guidant Corp. be held responsible?
It is becoming clear that Guidant Corp. simply made a business decision -- that in order to sell more defibrillators and in order to use up their defective inventory -- they chose to conceal the information about the defects from patients and doctors.
