Health devices
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Most adverse incidents involving health technology are preventable. But they need to be clearly understood and thoughtfully acted upon. Here are 10 sources of potential danger that warrant particular attention in 2011, along with recommendations for protecting patients and staff.
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The touchscreen interface used in the Gambro Prismaflex continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) system may occasionally become unresponsive. Gambro has developed software that addresses the problem; the software has not yet been released in the United States. Until that software is available, facilities should develop an action plan for users to follow if the problem occurs.
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Due to an issue in manufacturing, downstream occlusion (DSO) sensors in some Smiths Medical CADD-Solis infusion pumps may drift out of calibration, potentially resulting in erroneous alarms that disable the units. Hospitals experiencing the problem should return affected units to Smiths Medical for recalibration (free of charge) and should consider testing all their CADD-Solis pumps during routine maintenance to ensure that they alarm appropriately for downstream occlusions.
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Ineffective reprocessing of flexible endoscopes can have devastating consequences for your patients-and for your facility's bottom line. Protecting your patients and your institution requires developing an effective reprocessing protocol, following that protocol without exception, and selecting and using compatible devices and methods. We illustrate the kinds of problems that can occur and describe the steps to follow to avoid them.
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When mounted on the same side as the inspiratory port, the breathing circuit support arm used with the Maquet Servo-i ventilator can be positioned in such a way that it compresses the circuit's inspiratory limb, restricting gas flow to the patient. (This problem is possible only on the mobile cart configuration.) Users can avoid this problem by securing the arm above the port or by mounting it on another side of the ventilator.