Medical Device Alert: All anaesthetic breathing systems, anaesthetic machines and anaesthetic ventilators (MDA/2010/036)

If you are in England, please send enquiries about this notice to the MHRA, quoting reference number MDA/2010/036 or 2009/012/014/401/004.

Technical aspects
Douglas McIvor or Louise Mulroy
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers
1 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW8 5NQ

Tel: 020 7084 3193 / 3344
Fax: 020 7084 3209

Email: douglas.mcivor@mhra.gsi.gov.uk or louise.mulroy@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

Clinical aspects
Dr Tom Clutton-Brock
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers
1 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW8 5NQ

Tel: 020 7084 3056
Fax: 020 7084 3111

Email: tom.clutton-brock@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

How to report adverse incidents
Please report via our website: Reporting adverse incidents involving medical devices.
Further information about CAS can be found on the Central Alerting System website (external link).

Alerts in Northern Ireland will continue to be distributed via the NI SABS system.

Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Northern Ireland should be addressed to:
Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre
Health Estates Investment Group
Room 17
Annex 6
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Dundonald
BT4 3SQ

Tel: 02890 523 704
Fax: 02890 523 900

Email: NIAIC@dhsspsni.gov.uk

Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre (NIAIC) (external link)

How to report adverse incidents in Northern Ireland
Please report directly to NIAIC, further information can be found on the NIAIC website (external link).
Further information about SABS can be found on the SABS website (external link).

Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Scotland should be addressed to:

Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre
Health Facilities Scotland
NHS National Services Scotland
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB

Tel: 0131 275 7575
Fax: 0131 314 0722

Email: nss.iric@nhs.net

Health Facilities Scotland - Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre (external link).

Enquiries in Wales should be addressed to:

Dr Sara Hayes
Senior Medical Officer
Medical Device Alerts
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Tel: 029 2082 3922

Email: Haz-Aic@wales.gsi.gov.uk

The MHRA continues to receive reports of inadequate patient ventilation and oxygenation where harm could have been avoided if an alternative means of ventilation had been used earlier. These incidents occurred because of misconnection, entrapment or occlusion of the anaesthetic breathing systems, or because the anaesthetic machine or ventilator had failed.

In one particular incident an anaesthetic breathing system was wrongly connected to the auxiliary common gas outlet of an anaesthetic machine. The effects of this were wrongly interpreted as bronchospasm and the usual drug regimens were administered. The time taken to finally identify that this was a problem with the equipment meant that the patient was harmed.

• Prior to the induction of anaesthesia ensure that an alternative means of ventilation is immediately available eg self-inflating bag and an oxygen cylinder with suitable connections, as recommended by the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) (external link) in their guidelines 'Checking Anaesthetic Equipment 3 (2004)'. This publication is available from their website.
• When problems with patient ventilation occur, consider the immediate use of a self-inflating bag. This may identify the site of the problem, while maintaining ventilation and oxygenation.
• Ensure the self-inflating bag is directly attached to the endotracheal tube/airway device, removing all parts of the existing circuit including the catheter mount.

The AAGBI and the Royal College of Anaesthetists (external link) endorse these actions.

This MDA has been distributed to:

• NHS trusts in England (Chief Executives)
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) (Headquarters)
• HSC trusts in Northern Ireland (Chief Executives)
• NHS boards in Scotland (Chief Executives)

Onward distribution
Please bring this notice to the attention of all who need to know or be aware of it. This may include distribution by:

Trusts to:
CAS and SABS (NI) liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:

• anaesthesia, directors of
• anaesthetic nursing staff
• anaesthetists
• operating department practitioners
• risk managers
• theatre managers

Care Quality Commission (CQC) (England only) to:
The MHRA considers this information to be important to:

• hospitals in the independent sector
• independent treatment centres