11/24/2022
Thousands of high-tech hospital beds have been recalled amid concerns they could kill or lead to life-threatening injuries in patients.
The smart beds were found to interfere with nearby medical devices including baby heartrate monitors, infusion pumps and other crucial equipment.
Illinois-based healthcare company Baxter International initiated the recall of 8,550 units of its WatchCare Incontinence Management System.
They are mainly used in critical care and operating theaters and alert caregivers when incontinent patients have had an accident. The faulty units were first rolled out in August 2018.
Staff at hospitals where the beds are being used are urged to double check all unexpected or atypical results and monitor infusions closely.
The US Food and Drug Association (FDA) has classified the recall as ‘class one’ — the most serious type.
One of the affected smart beds is the P7900B Centrella Bed with WatchCare
The WatchCare System for Progressa Bed can also interfere with medical equipment
The recall was based on 96 reported complaints of interference with no reports of injuries or death related to the product, the FDA said.
The beds are thought to be used on a wide range of patients from women in labor to dementia sufferers.
Baxter – one of the top suppliers of hospital beds around the country – notified customers of the recall in a letter in late September.
In the letter, Baxter warned users about the potential for WatchCare’s radio frequencies to interfere with other medical devices.
The correction letter was updated last month to include actions healthcare practitioners could undertake in case they encountered any malfunction or interference.
The device was also found to interfere with insulin pumps, blood glucose sensors and bladder scanners.
Baxter said it has sought location and removal of the device from clinical care areas, where possible.
Many of the recalled WatchCare devices were manufactured by Hillrom, which was acquired by Baxter in late 2021.
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