Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 25 released a statement warning of possible device shortages because of interruptions in ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization services due to facility closures in Illinois and Georgia. In the statement, the acting FDA Commissioner, Ned Sharpless, noted that “at this time…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on October 8 announced the recall by Medtronic of all models of its 6 French Sherpa NX Active Guide Catheters. Medtronic is recalling the catheters because of the risk of the outer material separating from the device, resulting in detached fragments that…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on September 12 designated the recall by Allergan of its Natrelle Biocell textured breast implants as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of a six times higher rate of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a cancer…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on September 10 posted the recall by the Metrix Company of Dubuque, Iowa, of specific lots of its empty IV flexible containers (bags) marketed under the Metrix Secure EVA Dual Chamber and Baxter ExactaMix names. The recall was initiated because of the potential…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on September 6 posted Hospira, Inc’s recall of one lot of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, 30 mL, multi-dose vials, lot W20308. The recall was initiated because of the potential for a lack of sterility assurance. To date, Hospira has not received any…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced September 4 that it will hold a Medical Devices Advisory Committee Meeting in November to discuss ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization of medical devices, including methods to reduce EO emissions. The committee also will provide recommendations on reducing infection risks from reprocessed…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on August 29 issued a News Release recommending that healthcare facilities and manufacturers begin transitioning to duodenoscopes with disposable components to reduce the risk of patient infection. The FDA also announced additional actions they have taken to help ensure the safety of…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on August 21 identified Medline Industries’ recall of Centurion Medical Products’ Primary Warmer Pack containing the Vyaire Medical enFlow fluid warming system disposable cartridge as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because the cartridge may elute aluminum into infused…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on August 22 identified the recall by Edwards Lifesciences of all lots of its SAPIEN 3 Ultra Delivery System as Class I, the most serious. The delivery system is part of the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve System. The recall was initiated…
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on August 12 identified the recall by Fresenius Kabi (Bad Homburg, Germany) of its Volumat MC Agilia Infusion System and Vigilant Drug Library as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of a “Low Priority,” “Keep Vein Open,” “End of…