Ingestion of Super Strong Magnets

Ingestion of Super Strong Magnets

Recently, a different type of magnet (also known as Neo magnet, Bucky balls, Magnet balls, or Super Strong Rare-Earth Magnets) has gone on sale. They are most often sold as ‘adult desk toys, stress relievers, or brain development toys’ and it is not legal to sell them to children less than 14 years of age.

They are between seven and fourteen times stronger than traditional magnets and are sometimes called super strong or powerful magnets. They can be a variety of shapes, most often balls or discs. These are some examples of what they look like.

Today, your child has been discharged after swallowing a magnet. Even though the magnet has not passed through them yet, it is OK to take your child home.

After going home, your child will need a follow up X-ray 6-12 hours later and you should have been given a time to re-attend the Emergency Department. This follow up X-ray is extremely important so doctors can make sure the magnet is moving normally through your child’s bowels

Until your child has had their repeat X-ray, remove any other external magnetic objects nearby and avoid clothes with metallic buttons or belts with a metal buckle.

There is no need to examine your child’s faeces to find the swallowed object. If a single magnet is swallowed, it can be expected to be passed on its own if the magnet is not too large.

Very rarely, the object can become stuck in the stomach or intestines. Take your child to the Emergency Department IMMEDIATELY if they have:

• Concerns of further magnet or foreign body ingestion
• Vomiting
• Abdominal (tummy) pain
• Blood in their vomit or poo
• A fever
• You have concerns about a change in your child’s eating patterns e.g. refusing food or fluids

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you.

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: wah-tr.PALS@nhs.net
Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.
If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.

For additional medical advice, if your symptoms or condition worsens:
Contact your GP
NHS 111: Telephone 111
Get help with your symptoms, NHS111: https://111.nhs.uk/
Information to help you manage your health: www.nhs.uk
In an emergency telephone 999

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