Nearly 4,000 patients who had surgery at Duke Health Raleigh and Durham regional hospitals in late 2004 were told their surgical instruments may've been washed in used elevator hydraulic fluid.
The mistake happened when an elevator repair crew drained the fluid into empty detergent barrels.
Those barrels were picked and re-distributed as detergent.
Several patients blamed their health problems on the possible exposure.
While duke has reached a settlement with several patients the detergent company Cardinal Health 200 and Steris Corporation are now being sued over their role in the mishap.
To view a copy of the complaint filed against Cardinal Health and others for damages arising out of the hydraulic fluid exposure visit www.lawmed.com.
