Hospira Announces Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Lots of Several Lifecare Products Due to Potential for Leakage

200px-medicalDirectorsHospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), today announced the voluntary recall of certain lots of several products in its LifeCare™ line of flexible intravenous solutions due to the potential for leakage. The issue, which Hospira notified customers about in a Dear Health Care Provider letter issued earlier this year, was identified during re-inspection of a manufactured product lot in which a single puncture mark was identified going through the overwrap and primary container.

The puncture in the primary container may result in leakage that is difficult to detect. Leakage may result in an open system, which has the potential for contamination, compromised sterility, drug waste, spillage, inadequate or inconsistent solution/medication dosing, and/or delay in therapy, all of which may require medical intervention and should be reported to Hospira and/or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hazardous topical exposure may occur if a hazardous drug is added to the flexible container. Hospira’s product insert packaged with LifeCare flexible intravenous containers recommends providers do not administer unless solution is clear and the container is undamaged.

The root cause is attributed to a defect in a conveyance system, and corrective actions have since been implemented to prevent a reoccurrence. To date there have been no reports of adverse events associated with this issue for the impacted lots. The manufacturing issue that caused this incident has been addressed. Hospira recommends impacted customers check with their local Hospira representative or with Hospira Customer Care regarding replacement product.

The affected lots were originally distributed by Hospira to direct accounts from September 2013 through October 2014. The full lot list can be found at this web site.

Covidien Initiates Voluntary Field Safety Alert for Multi-function Defibrillation Electrodes

Sample photos from Coviden web site. For illustration only. Contact Coviden for exact models effected by recall.

Sample photos from Coviden web site. For illustration only. Contact Coviden for exact models effected by recall.

Dublin, Ireland — Covidien today announced that it has notified customers of a voluntary Field Safety Alert for certain Medi-Trace™ Cadence and Kendall™ Multi-function Defibrillation Electrodes due to a connector compatibility issue with Philips FR3 and FRx Defibrillators.

These electrodes will not connect with Philips FR3 or FRx AED units, and in the case of the use of Covidien defibrillation electrodes with the Philips FR3 AED units, could result in a delay of therapy. The FRx AED unit requires the pads to be pre-connected, and will issue a continuous alarm chirp to alert the user that the proper pads are not connected to the unit prior to use. The FR3, however, does not require pre-connection and the user will not discover the compatibility issue until the AED must be used. This may result in a delay in therapy.

Philips FR3 and FRx AED units should only be used with the Philips brand electrodes specified in the equipment manual.

Covidien has received two reports where customers attempted to use a Covidien electrode with a Philips FR3 AED unit. The mismatch of these devices contributed to a delay in resuscitation and may have contributed to the subsequent death of one patient.

Covidien alerted customers to the this issue by letter on September 18, 2014, and has revised labeling to clarify that use of these electrodes is incompatible with Philips FR3 and FRx AED units.

The Field Safety Alert requests that customers review the use of Covidien defibrillation electrodes in their facility to assure that Covidien electrodes are not placed for use with Philips model FR3 or FRx AEDs.

There are a total of 644,460 electrodes affected by this safety alert.

The following Covidien electrodes are affected:

  • 22660R – Medi-Trace™ Cadence Adult Multi-Function Defibrillation Electrodes Radiotransparent
  • 22660PC – Medi-Trace™ Cadence Adult Multi-Function Defibrillation Electrodes Pre-connect
  • 20660 – Kendall™ Adult Multi-Function Defibrillation Electrodes
  • 40000006 – Kendall™ 1710H Multi-Function Defibrillation Electrodes

In addition, similar private label electrodes produced by Covidien were also distributed under the following brands, and have the same connector compatibility issue:

  • MC1710H – MediChoice® Multifunction Electrode
  • M3718A – Philips HEARTSTART Multifunction Electrode Pads

The Field Safety Alert applies to all lot numbers distributed globally.

The Food and Drug Administration has classified this as a Class 1 Recall, the most serious recall where there is a reasonable risk of a serious adverse health consequences or death.

For further information or to report a problem, please contact Covidien Quality Assurance at 1-800-962-9888, option 8, then extension 2500 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (eastern) or email Mansfield.productmonitoring@covidien.com

Want to hold a monster ball? Coke is giving you the chance.

coke-halloweenDo you want to host a big monster bash on Halloween? Coca-Cola is giving you the opportunity. You will just have to wait until October 2015.

Mycokerewards.com holds regular sweepstakes for those who have set up an account. You enter codes for points to apply toward sweepstakes and other offers.

This year they are repeating their sweepstake for a Halloween party. There is no purchase necessary to enter, but you will have to go to the site and see the rules for entry. The Fanta® MCR Halloween Sweepstakes will be offering three $5000 checks for a great Halloween monster ball. Their ad reads

No tricks. Just a treat. $5000 of wicked fun!

There is, however, one little trick to the sweepstake. The drawing is November 3.

Dimension Industries Recalls Sling Café Sets Due to Fall Hazard

DimensionTableChairSet640Dimension Industries is recalling about 18,000 sling café sets manufactured by Foshan Shunde Shian Furniture Co Ltd., of China. They were sold exclusively through Costco Wholesale stores nationwide from December 2013 through May 2014 for about $400.

The three-piece sling fabric café sets include two aluminum swivel chairs with medium brown-colored stretched fabric seats and backs, a round aluminum base and aluminum arm rests, and a rectangular table with a tabletop made from porcelain tile with a natural stone look. The chairs are about 44 inches H x 26 inches L x 30 inches W. The table is about 29 inches H x 30 inches L x 26 inches W. Costco Item #966710 is printed on the hangtag, label and on the packaging.

The recalled chairs can break due to a missing metal washer plate, posing a fall hazard to consumers. Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs and contact Dimension to receive a free repair kit or a full refund. Consumers can contact Dimension at Dimension at (800) 598-6532 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

DimensionWasherPlate640

Number-966630-fairview-7Costco is also recalling the Agio Fairview 7 Piece Woven Dining Set, Costco Item Number 966630.

There have been reports that the legs of the chairs can fracture, causing the chair to bend or fall backward, and presenting a possible risk of injury from a fall.

The units were sold from between January 2014 and March 2014 and also distributed by Dimension Industries of Taiwan. Consumers should return the product to Costco or contact Agio at 1-800-598-6532 to arrange a pickup.