Hospitals knew a heart device led to more patients' deaths – but they kept using it
Hospitals knew a heart device led to more patients' deaths – but they kept using it
Almost half of patients given a heart pump, after the NHS had raised concerns about it, died soon after.
Read the full article on BBC Health
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article makes a serious claim about a specific heart pump leading to increased patient deaths after the NHS raised concerns. However, the provided snippet is limited, and without access to the full article and more specific claims, it's difficult to verify the accuracy. The claim of 'almost half' dying soon after raises concerns and requires substantial evidence, which is not fully present in the provided sources, leading to a low factual accuracy score. The article appears to have a moderate bias due to the alarming nature of the claim and potential for selective reporting.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Almost half of patients given a heart pump, after the NHS had raised concerns about it, died soon after.
- Verification Source #4: Source 4 mentions that heart pumps (Left Ventricular Assist Devices) are increasingly being used as long-term treatment for people who have heart failure but are not eligible for heart transplants. It does not mention any specific concerns raised by the NHS or increased death rates associated with these devices.
- Verification Source #5: Source 5 discusses death in patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices, noting that 22% die in the hospital. It does not specifically address concerns raised by the NHS or a rate of 'almost half' dying soon after.
- Assessment: Unverified. The provided sources do not directly support the claim that almost half of patients died soon after receiving the heart pump after NHS concerns. While source 5 discusses mortality rates in patients with LVADs, it doesn't corroborate the 'almost half' figure or the NHS concerns.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- The claim that 'almost half' of patients died soon after receiving the heart pump is not directly supported by the provided verification sources. Source 4 describes the use of heart pumps, and source 5 discusses mortality rates in LVAD patients, but neither confirms the specific claim or the NHS concerns.