CEM - NPSA and MDA Alerts

This page has links to recent alerts from the NPSA and MDA on equipment faults, high risk procedures etc.

Please contact philip.mcmillan@collemergencymed.ac.uk if you hear of additional topics that should be on this page.

MHRA Drug Safety Bulletin

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetyguidance/DrugSafetyUpdate/index.htm

Medical Device Alerts

All Medical Device Alerts can be viewed on the MHRA website here: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetywarnings/MedicalDeviceAlerts/index.htm

Selected MDAs sent by the MHRA for circulation to CEM members are listed below:

July 2010

• Various models of Anaesthetic CareStations manufactured by GE Healthcare - (MDA/2010/058) - 6^th July 2010

June 2010

• Welch Allyn CP200 Electrocardiograph - (MDA/2010/056) - 29^th June 2010

• TruSat Pulse Oximeter manufactured by GE Healthcare (formerly Datex-Ohmeda) - 29^th June 2010(MDA/2010/055)

• Unilect (TM) ECG monitoring electrodes manufactured by Unomedical  - 2^nd June 2010 (MDA/2010/046)

May 2010

• Visionary single-use laryngeal airway device manufactured by Marshall Products Ltd - 17^th May 2010 (MDA/2010/041)

• All chest drains when used with high-flow, low-vacuum suction systems (wall mounted) - 13^th May 2010 (MDA/2010/040)

April 2010

• PediCap carbon dioxide detector manufactured by Covidien - 8^th April 2010 (MDA/2010/026)

March 2010

• Endotracheal (ET) tubes, adult and paediatric sizes manufactured by Unomedical - 23^rd March 2010(MDA/2010/024)

• Pregnancy test for professional use - Clearview hCG Combo manufactured by Unipath Limited - 8^th Mar 2010 (MDA/2010/016)

February 2010

• Powerheart AED G3 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) manufactured by Cardiac Science Corporation - 26^th Feb 2010 (MDA/2010/015)

• Powerheart AED G3 and CardioVive automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) manufactured by Cardiac Science Corporation - 18^th Feb 2010 (MDA/2010/014)

• Teligen and Cognis defibrillators - specific models, manufactured by Boston Scientific - 10^th Feb 2010 (MDA/2010/012)

National Patient Safety Alerts

Rapid Response Reports can be viewed on the NPSA website here: http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/patientsafety/alerts-and-directives/rapidrr/

August 2010

• Prevention of over infusion of intravenous fluid and medicines in neonates - NPSA/2010/RRR015 dated 26^th August 2010

July 2010

• Reducing treatment dose errors with low molecular weight heparins - NPSA/2010/RRR014 dated 30^th July 2010

June 2010

• Safer administration of insulin - NPSA /2010/RRR013 dated 16^th June 2010

March 2010

• Early detection of complications after gastrostomy - NPSA/2010/RRR010 dated 31st March 2010

February 2010

• Reducing harm from omitted and delayed medicines in hospital - NPSA/2010/RRR009 dated 24th February 2010

January 2010

• Vaccine Cold Storage - NPSA/2010/RRR008 dated 21st January 2010

December 2009

• Reducing the risks of tourniquets left on after finger and toe surgery - NPSA/2009/RRR007 dated 9th December 2009

Department of Health

August 2010

• Severe reactions to Ivory Wave legal high - warning from Chief Medical Officer in Scotland

Older

• Human Swine Influenza news - latest information is available here.

• Venous Thromboembolism - Risk assessment for venous thromboembolism. Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, has announced the publication of a risk assessment for venous thromboembolism, which he has recommended for all patients admitted to hospital in England. The condition is responsible for 25,000 patient deaths in England each year.