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Not sure if anyone else has seen this, but I wanted
to post for general knowledge. It was sent to me on another list serve and
is from a reputable source.
TRACHEOTOMY TUBES RECALLED
A brand of tracheotomy tubes is being recalled because it can break apart in the neck - a defect that prompted federal health officials to urge that patients get prompt replacements. Recalled are Shiley TracheoSoft XLT Extended Length tracheostomy tubes. More than 73,000 were shipped to hospitals and other health organizations in the last four years. There are 17 reports of part of that tubing breaking in a way that could let it slide down into the neck and block breathing, said FDA officials. Maker Nellcor/Tyco Healthcare says 80% of health organizations that bought the tubing have responded since it notified them of the recall on July 8. The FDA said there's no way to know how many of the recalled tubes currently are implanted into patients because the disposable tubing is supposed to be replaced monthly � (and in some cases the tubes) are being stored in their homes. Patients or their families should call their doctors to see if they use the recalled brand, or check any home supplies. The tubing can be used on patients hooked to ventilators, in which case an alarm is supposed to sound if breathing is blocked. But tracheotomy recipients aren't necessarily hospitalized or even bed-bound, and quick action is required to restore breathing if the tubing breaks. This is not standard tracheotomy tubing but a brand specially designed for certain patients who need a longer-than-usual version. The defect's cause hasn't been determined, and the recall covers all lots of that brand. Doctors or patients with questions may contact the manufacturer at 1-800-635-5267, extension 3, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=534&ncid=534&e=16&u=/ap/20040806/ap_on_he_me/tracheotomy_recall --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.727 / Virus Database: 482 - Release Date: 7/26/2004 |
