Summary
This is a news sheet aimed at healthcare professionals, which highlights problems with the use of medical devices.
ALL medical devices can fail but an increasing number of incidents that result in significant morbidity or mortality arise out of user error or because of poor practices. This edition highlights common issues that have been encountered and provides guidance on preventing problems in the future.
One Liners issue 96 – January 2013 
Summary:
A news sheet aimed at healthcare professionals highlighting concerns relating to the use of medical devices.
Poster for Safe use of bed rails (1504Kb)
Bed rails successfully prevent many falls, but their incorrect use has resulted in the deaths of bed occupants by asphyxiation through entrapment in gaps.
Risk assessment is key to ensure safe use. It should start with the bed occupant and include the combination of the proposed equipment, the bed and the mattress. This poster complements our more detailed guidance ‘Safe use of bed rails’ DB 2006(06) v2.0.
23 May 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Neonatal endotracheal tube SCP clamp/holder manufactured by Capatex Medical (MDA/2012/029)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as there may be a risk of airway loss due to slippage or airway obstruction, as a result of over-tightening of the clamp/holder when using neonatal endotracheal tube SCP clamp/holder manufactured by Capatex Medical.
23 May 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Power cords and transformer boot cables of patient monitors manufactured by Welch Allyn (MDA/2012/028)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as the MHRA has received reports of clinical staff receiving electric shocks from power cords with damaged outer insulation. The damage is caused mainly by accidentally pulling the plug out of the wall when moving the monitor on its stand.
22 May 2012 | Drug Safety Update: May 2012 (Volume 5, Issue 10)
Drug Safety Update is essential reading for all healthcare professionals, bringing you the very latest information and advice to support the safer use of medicines.
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as there is a potential for INR results from the affected device to be falsely elevated by approximately 20%. This may lead to inadequate anticoagulation and potential thromboembolic complications when using i-STAT PT/INR cartridges.
09 May 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Endoscope accessory holder, all manufacturers (MDA/2012/024)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as the MHRA has been informed that the use of inappropriate accessory holders within automated endoscope reprocessors (AER) may lead to contamination of devices, equipment and processing media by retained soil and corroded material from the endoscope accessory holder.
The MHRA has published a statement on the Earl Howe review.
Download Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) silicone breast implants: Review of the actions of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Department of Health [PDF 650K – Link to the Department of Health website]
| The following section/document has been added/updated
Title: Orthpaedics Summary: The MHRA is issuing updated information and advice about the management and monitoring of patients implanted with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacements. You can find the section/document here: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&ssDocName=CON096875 |
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as ProcedurePaks with devices containing latex have been incorrectly labelled as latex-free.
You can find the section at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&ssDocName=CON117546
Calling all doctors, pharmacists and nurses involved in the care of patients with depression. Also valuable for clinicians starting out in psychiatry.
(Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) SSRI learning module
The MHRA have just launched a learning module on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants for clinical practitioners. This self-directed learning package outlines the key risks of this important class of medicines. For each adverse effect, the package outlines:
A self-assessment exercise, together with full feedback, complements the learning material. SSRI learning module
Library & Knowledge Service blog 