Recall: All HAMILTON-G5 Ventilators recalled due to user error message “Panel Connection Lost”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a company announcement from Hamilton Medical AG which is updating all HAMILTON-G5 Ventilators (PN 159001 that contains the software versions ≤ 2.60) with a newly developed software version 2.80, to reduce the probability of the user message “Panel connection lost” and ventilator entering an ambient state.

The user error message is due to a blocked or terminated communication between the ventilation unit processor and the interaction panel processor. The announcement says on February 11, 2019 and March 20, 2019, Hamilton Medical AG issued safety communications to the users for the Hamilton G5 Ventilators (PN 159001), due to the "Panel connection lost" error.

The announcement says while there have been complaints due to the user message error “Panel connection lost”, no patient injury or harm were reported. The user message error “Panel connection lost” can occur sporadically, and release both a visual and an acoustical high-priority alarm to alert medical staff. In an event the user message error “Panel connection lost” occurs, the HAMILTON-G5 ventilator can cease ventilation and enter an ambient state. When the HAMILTON-G5 ventilator enters an ambient state, the following conditions apply:

·   The inspiratory channel and expiratory valves are opened, allowing patient to breathe room air unassisted.

·    Ventilator sounds a high priority alarm with visual blinking LEDs alerting medical staff.

In the event of the error occurring, the HAMILTON-G5 Ventilator ceases ventilation and enters an ambient state. 

·    Check and monitor patients for safety.

·    Provide alternative ventilation.

·    Turn off the affected Hamilton G5 Ventilator.

Contact your distributor ([email protected]) and have the HAMILTON-G5 Ventilator updated with software version 2.80.

The investigation of the user message error “Panel connection lost” is due to the blocked or terminated communication between the ventilator unit processor and the interaction panel processor leading to the user error message “Panel connection lost” and ventilator entering the ambient state.

If you are aware of any incidents related to this issue or if you have any questions, please contact Hamilton Medical Inc. immediately at Tel. +1 775 858 3200, and/or e-mail: [email protected], to provide information regarding those events so regulatory reporting obligations can be fulfilled.

Keep this information with your HAMILTON-G5 ventilators Operators Manual.