Critical care staff use and manage a wide range of medicines and medical devices. Critical care teams often introduce novel therapeutic technologies prior to them being adopted more widely. If you work in critical care this page has been specifically designed for you. It includes guidance, safety alerts and links to educational material to assist you in the safe use and management of medicines and medical devices used everyday in critical care. The site will be regularly updated with content of most relevance to you, so please book mark the site and return often, or sign up for email alerts to let you know when new content has been added.
Latest news and hot topics
18 Jan 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Tracheostomy tubes: Bivona® Neonatal, Pediatric and Flextend manufactured by Smiths Medical (MDA/2012/002)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as incorrectly connected accessories may be difficult to remove, requiring excessive force to disconnect. This may cause the tube to dislodge, requiring it to be changed.
17 Jan 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Rüsch Flexislip/Flexi-Slip™ endotracheal tube stylet with soft distal tip, 6F manufactured by Teleflex (MDA/2012/001)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as Teleflex is undertaking a recall following complaints received about two problems - difficulty removing the stylet from the endotracheal tube after intubation and separation of the PVC sheath from the stylet.
12 Jan 2012 | Drug Safety Update: February 2012 (Volume 5, Issue 7)
Drug Safety Update is essential reading for all healthcare professionals, bringing you the very latest information and advice to support the safer use of medicines.
22 Dec 2011 | Medical Device Alert: Octopus 3 extension set with anti-reflux valves and clamps manufactured by Vygon (MDA/2011/113)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as there is a possible failure to deliver therapy under gravity infusion, as these sets may be fitted with anti-syphon valves instead of anti-reflux valves.
13 Dec 2011 | Medical Device Alert: All Plum A+ infusion pumps manufactured by Hospira Inc (MDA/2011/110)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued due to a possible delay in therapy due to continuous recycling and/or rebooting, if the LED display settings are adjusted from the original default settings when using Plum A+ infusion pumps manufactured by Hospira Inc.
Drug Safety Update (DSU)
Guidance and publications
Go to the guidance and publications related to critical care
Interactive education modules
Annually many patients and staff are injured needlessly by medical devices that are either used incorrectly or badly maintained. These injuries are often due to user error or poor systems of work, not the device function or design. In these education packages we have tried to give a generic overview of some of the devices that have been reported to us as problematic.
We have produced a series of educational packages that are simple to use, informative and should take no more than thirty minutes to work through. They have all been developed by MHRA staff, some in conjunction with and endorsement by royal colleges and some attract CPD points. They provide valuable dos and don’ts when using and operating medical devices.
Related links
| Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (external link) |
| British Association of Critical Care Nurses (external link) |
| Intensive Care Society (external link) |
| Royal College of Anaesthetists (external link) |
| Society of Critical Care Technologists (external link) |
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Reporting of adverse incidents or adverse drug reactions
Any actual, suspected, potential or avoided adverse event should be reported. Further examples of cases which should be reported are available in the sections below. If in doubt, please report. You can help us by reporting adverse incidents. These reports enable us to identify medical devices and medicines that are of concern and allow us to take appropriate action.
What should I report if I suspect a medicine is associated with an adverse reaction?
Please complete a Yellow Card to report suspected adverse reactions to prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal remedies. For further information, please see www.yellowcard.gov.uk (external link).
Please clarify what a medical device is and what I should report?
Please see our section on reporting safety problems.
Medical Device Alerts
Medical Device Alerts (MDAs) are the MHRA's prime means of communicating safety information to medical device users in health and social care. This page provides links to MDAs we have published that are of particular relevance to critical care staff. To see a complete list of our MDAs, please visit the Medical Device Alert section of our website.
Report counterfeit medicines and devices
If you have been offered what you suspect to be counterfeit products, or have seen them for sale or have bought them we would like you to tell us.
If you have any concerns or information that may assist us in tracking down those responsible for counterfeit medicines and devices you can:
- email the Enforcement Group at counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
- ring our 24 hour dedicated hotline on 020 3080 6701
- write to us at Counterfeits, The Intelligence Unit, MHRA, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SZ.
Find out more about counterfeit medicines and medical devices
One Liners
One Liners is a short, news sheet for healthcare professionals which highlight problems with medical devices. It is a review of user issues that have been brought to our attention and are generally reports of continuing misuse of simple medical equipment.
All medical devices can fail but an increasing number of incidents reported arise out of user problems or poor practices. The aim of the One Liner is to briefly detail some of these problems in an attempt to make users more aware of what can go wrong - it is all too easy to take equipment for granted.
