Archive for December, 2008

Class 1 Recall: Sun Med Greenline/D MacIntosh No. 3 Laryngoscope Blades

Posted by admin on December 29th, 2008. Published in Medical News. Comment Here »

Official Press Release from MedWatch

Audience: ENT, anesthesia, and critical care healthcare professionals, hospital risk managers

Sun Med and FDA notified healthcare professionals of the Class 1 recall of Greenline/D MacIntosh No. 3 Laryngoscope Blades. This product is a part of a medical device [laryngoscope] used to view the vocal cords and other structures when opening a patient’s airway. A piece of the acrylic light tube that runs along the laryngoscope blade may break off during the procedure. This device was distributed from January 16, 2007 through April 13, 2007. The company sent a notice to their distributors requesting that the product be returned.

Read the complete MedWatch 2008 Safety summary, including a link to the FDA/CDRH recall notice

Holiday Safety Tips

Posted by admin on December 23rd, 2008. Published in Disaster Preparedness. Comment Here »

Did you know that each year during the 60 days surrounding the end of the year holiday season almost 11,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries sustained while decorating? A gut reaction may be to snicker or maybe a flash of Chevy Chase trying to hang Christmas lights on his house in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has just flashed through your head. These injuries, ranging from falls, cuts, shocks, burns, etc., are no laughing matter. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that each year an average of 240 fires involving dried-out Christmas trees results in 16 deaths and millions in property damage. Can you guess what other fire hazard results in 170 deaths and $390 million in property damage annually? You guessed it – candles are the culprit according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

These statistics and holiday hazards seem like a killjoy but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple safety precautions and staying alert your holiday can be full of peace and joy.

Check out these helpful suggestions:

Trees and Decorations:

  • If you’re into artificial trees, purchase one that is fire resistant (it doesn’t make you exempt from any fire but it will certainly help)
  • If you’re into live trees, purchase one that is fresh (strong needles, sticky with resin) and keep it that way by watering it regularly
  • Place your tree away from fireplaces, vents and radiators as well as away from high traffic areas
  • Trim your tree using only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials
  • If you have children use ornaments and decorations that are kid-friendly (avoid the sharp or breakable, small pieces that could be swallowed/choked on, trimmings resembling candy or food)
  • Lights:

  • Use lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized laboratory for both indoor and outdoor lights
  • Use lights that have thicker wiring and safety fuses
  • New or old, check each set up lights for broken/cracked sockets, frayed/exposed wires or loose connections (toss them if any of these descriptions apply)
  • Do NOT use electric lights on a metallic tree (electricity charge + human touch = possibly electrocution)
  • Off to bed or out the door? Make sure you unplug the lights
  • Candles:

  • Keep burning candles within your view
  • Keep burning candles away from flammable items
  • Use non-flammable candle holders and keep out of reach of children and pets
  • Put out the flame when off to bed or out the door
  • Fireplaces:

  • Use color-producing fire salts with caution and keep away from children and pets
  • Do NOT burn wrapping paper or plastics in your fireplace
  • Use a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable material (like your shirt when you’re sitting by the fireplace to stay nice and toasty)
  • Stay safe and warm.

    Happy Holidays,
    Emergency Medical Products

    Source: EHS Today

    Resolve to be Ready in 2009

    Posted by admin on December 15th, 2008. Published in Disaster Preparedness. Comment Here »

    The holidays are upon us and it won’t be long before we’re ringing in the New Year. With the New Year so quickly approaching the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Ready Campaign is reminding Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2009. This nationwide effort is designed to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the coming New Year.

    Emergency preparedness is a simple three step process:

    1. Get an emergency supply kit
    2. Make a family emergency plan
    3. Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses

    These simple steps may take a few moments of your time now but could save your life and others in the event of an emergency or national disaster. Keep in mind to have a supply kit not only in your home but your car as well. You never know when an icy road or snowstorm could leave you temporarily stranded. Emergency kits should contain the basic necessities such as water, food, and first aid supplies to help you survive until help is available - for a complete checklist check out: www.ready.gov.

    By committing to Resolve to be Ready in 2009 and following the simple emergency preparedness steps in advance you will minimize the impact of emergencies and their effect on you and your loved ones.

    Lan Lamphere provides a wonderful website – www.LanLamphere.com - and an AM public radio show called OvernighAM that covers an assortment of public interest topics including emergency preparedness, current events and more. Take a moment to check out Lan Lamphere and listen live or read his articles online.

    Hospira Issues Voluntary Recall

    Posted by admin on December 15th, 2008. Published in Medical News. Comment Here »

    FDA Official Press Release:

    Recall — Firm Press Release

    FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

    Hospira Issues Voluntary Recall of One Lot of 20meq Potassium Chloride in 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP Due to Incorrect Bar Code Label

    Media Contact:
    Dan Rosenberg
    (224) 212-3366

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — LAKE FOREST, Ill., Dec. 8, 2008 — Hospira, Inc., a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, is following up on  a nationwide voluntary recall issued Sept. 18 of one lot (lot number 65-620-FW, expiration date May 1, 2010, NDC 0409-7902-09) of 20 mEq Potassium Chloride in 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP in 1000 mL flexible plastic containers because a small number of the containers may be incorrectly labeled with a bar code for 5% Dextrose Injection, USP (NDC 0409-7922-09). The incorrect bar code could lead to a medication error resulting in the wrong drug being delivered to a patient if a bar code system is used to confirm the medication. Potential adverse events related to an error of this type include electrolyte imbalance, cardiac dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, paresthesia and mental confusion.

    The product contains 20 mEq Potassium Chloride in 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride. The product name and National Drug Code (NDC) number printed on the container are correct. The affected lot was shipped to U.S. customers between July 2008 and September 2008. No other lots are affected by this recall.

    Hospira has not received any reports of adverse health events in connection with the recalled lot. Hospira has identified the root cause of the error and taken action to prevent its recurrence.

    Anyone with an existing inventory should quarantine the product immediately and call Hospira Customer Care at 1-877-946-7747 for instructions on how to return it. Customers who have medical questions should contact Hospira Medical Communications at 1-800-615-0187. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of these products, and/or quality problems may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by Fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

    National Fire Service and EMS Seat Belt Pledge

    Posted by admin on December 5th, 2008. Published in EMS. Comment Here »

    The Pledge:

    “I pledge to wear my seat belt whenever I am riding in a Fire Department vehicle. I further pledge to insure that all my brother and sister firefighters riding with me wear their seat belts. I am making this pledge willingly; to honor Brian Hunton my brother firefighter because wearing seat belts is the right thing to do.”

    For one year Firefighter Brian Hunton was a member of the Amarillo Texas Fire Department. On April 23, 2005 while responding to an alarm he fell out of his fire truck. He died two days later from his injuries. He was only 27.

    As of November 28, 2008 The National Fire Service and EMS Seatbelt Pledge is officially supported internationally by NIOSH. Also as of November 28, 2008, North Carolina leads the nation in the number of 100% compliant departments. Is your department in compliance? When the alarm goes off the time is ticking, you get yourself and your rescue gear together and you go but do you take that moment to buckle up?

    Check out this video on the importance of buckling up:

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