--- title: FDA issues warning about a hidden danger in mobile medical carts description: FDA issues warning about a hidden danger in mobile medical carts --- - Search Search Close this search box. - Download Forms - [Make a Payment](https://secure.lawpay.com/pages/ironsandirons/trust) - [(252) 215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) [![Irons and Irons](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/irons-law-logo.png?width=178&height=46&name=irons-law-logo.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Auto Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/car-accident) - [Motorcycle Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/motorcycle-accident) - [Nursing Home Abuse](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/nursing-home-abuse) - [Rideshare Accidents](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/rideshare-accidents) - [Slip and Fall](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/slip-and-fall) - [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/brain-injury) - [Truck Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/trucking-accident) - [Wrongful Death](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/wrongful-death) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Separation Agreements](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/separation-agreements) - [Divorce Options](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/options) - [Absolute Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/absolute) - [Collaborative Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/collaborative) - [High Net Worth Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/high-net-worth) - [Military Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/military-divorce) - [Division of Pensions, 401(k) & Retirement Accounts](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/division-of-pension-and-retirement-accounts) - [Post Separation Support and Alimony](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/support-and-alimony) - [Property Distribution](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/property-distribution) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Child Custody](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody) - [Child Custody Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody-modification) - [Child Support / Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-support-modification) - [Collaborative Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/collaborative-family-law) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) - [East Carolina University/Pitt Community College Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/ecu-college-disputes) - [Public And Private School Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/school-disputes) - [Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Dental Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/dental-malpractice) - [Pharmaceutical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/pharmaceutical-malpractice) - Attorneys - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. 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Blog](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com) [Subscribe](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/fda-issues-warning-about-a-hidden-danger-in-mobile-medical-carts#popup-form) ### Subscribe via Email [Medical Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/medical-malpractice) # FDA issues warning about a hidden danger in mobile medical carts April 12, 2017 Written by: Harry Albritton - Share - Share - Share - [Copy](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/fda-issues-warning-about-a-hidden-danger-in-mobile-medical-carts) Copied the Url When you go to a doctor's office, outpatient clinic or hospital, you take it for granted that not only are you going to receive quality care from a medical professional, but also that they equipment on which they rely to provide this quality care will be both safe and functional. While it's true that certain time-tested equipment is largely immune to any sort of mechanical mishaps, the same can't necessarily be said of those tools that have been present in exam rooms and operating rooms for shorter intervals. If you have a hard time believing it, consider that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning to health care facilities around the country about a potentially dangerous situation involving mobile medical carts outfitted with high capacity lithium or lead acid batteries that are otherwise designed to power both computers and medical devices for hours at a time. Specifically, the FDA has received multiple reports of the batteries found in many of these ubiquitous mobile medical carts -- used for everything from medication dispensing to patient resuscitation -- smoking from overheating and even igniting. Amplifying the already serious danger that smoke and fire present to patients, staff and visitors, say FDA officials, is the fact that conflagrations involving lithium batteries are notoriously difficult for firefighters to put out, meaning the risk of fire spreading is amplified. Indeed, the agency reports that firefighters in several states have been forced to bury mobile medical carts in order to extinguish the blaze. In light of this very real danger, the FDA is advising health care facilities to take some of the following actions: Inspect the batteries charging mobile medical carts for indications of damage, such as cracking, bulging or swelling Inspect the chargers and the carts outfitted with chargers for signs of overheating components Vacuum dust and lint found near or on batteries and/or chargers Replace malfunctioning batteries Notify manufacturers of damaged batteries or charging components Here's hoping health care facilities heed these warnings ... If you or a loved one have been seriously injured by malfunctioning medical equipment or any other form of medical negligence, consider speaking with a skilled legal professional to learn more about your options for seeking justice. ### [Harry Albritton](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/author/harry-albritton) Harry H. Albritton, Jr. is a passionate attorney representing victims of negligence and malpractice, with deep roots in eastern North Carolina. A graduate of East Carolina University, he returned to practice law in Pitt County after obtaining his law degree from Ohio Northern University. Throughout his career, he has successfully handled a diverse range of cases, from minor car accidents to multi-million dollar catastrophic injuries, and has been recognized for his legal abilities by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. When not practicing law, he prioritizes spending time with his wife and three sons, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. ### Related Posts [Dental Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/dental-malpractice) 3 min read #### [What Are Common Reasons for Filing Dental Malpractice Cases?](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/common-reasons-for-the-filing-of-dental-malpractice-cases) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/common-reasons-for-the-filing-of-dental-malpractice-cases) [Personal Injury](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/personal-injury) 3 min read #### [NC Personal Injury: How to File a Personal Injury Claim](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/nc-personal-injury) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/nc-personal-injury) [Medical Malpractice](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/medical-malpractice) 1 min read #### [Are medical malpractice suits hard to win?](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/are-medical-malpractice-suits-hard-to-win) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/are-medical-malpractice-suits-hard-to-win) [![IRONS & IRONS P.A.](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Irons%20and%20Irons/Pillar-Graphic.png?width=134&height=67&name=Pillar-Graphic.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) Irons & Irons P.A. 620 Lynndale Ct Suite A Greenville, NC 27858 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Phone: [252-215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) PRACTICE AREAS - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) ATTORNEYS - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. 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