FDA Class I Recalls: Physio-Control’s LIFEPAK15 Monitor/Defibrillator and ICU Medical’s Chemolock and ChemoClave Vial Spikes
Physio-Control is recalling its LIFEPAK 15 Monitor/Defibrillator because the device may “lockup” (freeze) after a shock is delivered. When this occurs, the device’s monitor display goes blank and there is no response from the keypad or the device although the device’s LED lights remain on and indicates the device still has power. Once the LIFEPAK 15 freezes, it cannot provide defibrillation therapy until the device is reset by restarting the device or removing and reinserting all connected power sources. The resulting delay in delivering a shock could and has resulted in serious patient injury including death.
Physio-Control’s LIFEPAK 15 Monitor/Defibrillator is used to deliver lifesaving electrical shocks to people with sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. Defibrillation electrodes are connected to the defibrillator to help the device analyze a patient’s heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythm when needed. The LIFEPAK 15 monitor displays the patient’s heart rhythm so the health care provider can study the heart’s electrical activity.
On February 1, 2019, Physio-Control sent customers an “Urgent Medical Device Safety Notice & Correction” letter. The letter informed customers that Physio-Control will provide a firmware update in the affected devices to resolve this issue. They also sent customers a list of next steps to take.
Visit FDA for recall instructions.
ICU Medical, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of ChemoLock and ChemoClave Vial Spikes due to the potential for burr particulate originating from the protective cap used in the assembly of the device. The affected product lot was distributed nationwide to ICU Medical customers between August 2018 and February 2019. The FDA is classifying this as a Class 1 recall, as burr particulate has the potential to detach and, in rare circumstances, enter the fluid path causing an embolism that may damage organs or lead to a stroke, resulting in serious injury or death. To date, ICU Medical has not received any reports of adverse events related to this matter and is issuing this notification out of an abundance of caution.
ICU Medical is asking customers to discontinue the use and distribution of the affected product immediately. Check your inventory and quarantine all affected product at your facility and return the affected product to Stericycle for credit. For instructions on returning product or additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-888-871-7114 Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
