Infusion pumps: Plum A+ and A+3 family of infusers - risk of interruption in therapy

(Hospira) If pump is running on mains power and software detects that battery cannot be fully recharged, an alarm will sound and infusion will stop. (MDA/2013/006)

CAS deadlines

Action underway: 7 March 2013, action complete: 21 March 2013

Note: These deadlines are for systems to be in place to identify pumps and ensure users are aware of the problems.

Device

Hospira Infusion pumps: Plum A+ single channel infuser systems

Image of Infusion pumps.

Infusion pumps.

Plum A+ and A+3 family of infusers.

Manufactured by Hospira.

All models and list numbers.

Problem

Risk of interruption to treatment.

If the pump is running on mains power and the software detects that the battery cannot be fully recharged, an alarm will sound and the infusion will stop.

If this occurs the “E321” error message will be displayed.

The MHRA continues to investigate this and other recent field safety corrective actions.

Action

Action by

All medical, nursing and technical staff involved in the use of these devices.

Distribution

This MDA has been sent to:

  • NHS trusts in England (chief executives)
  • Care Quality Commission (CQC) (headquarters) for information
  • HSC trusts in Northern Ireland (chief executives)
  • NHS boards in Scotland (equipment coordinators)
  • Local authorities in Scotland (equipment coordinators)
  • NHS boards and trusts in Wales (chief executives)
  • Primary care trusts in England (chief executives)

Onward distribution

Please bring this notice to the attention of relevant employees in your establishment. Below is a suggested list of recipients.

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

  • A&E departments
  • Adult intensive care units
  • All wards
  • Biomedical engineering staff
  • Biomedical science departments
  • Clinical governance leads
  • Day surgery units
  • EBME departments
  • Equipment stores
  • In-house maintenance staff
  • IV nurse specialists
  • Maintenance staff
  • Medical directors
  • Nursing executive directors
  • Oncology units
  • Paediatric intensive care units
  • Risk managers
  • Supplies managers
  • Theatres

Primary care trusts
CAS liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:

  • Community hospitals
  • Equipment libraries and stores
  • Health visitors
  • Hospital at home
  • Palliative care teams

Independent distribution

Establishments registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (England only)
This alert should be read by:

  • Care homes providing nursing care (adults)
  • Clinics
  • Hospices
  • Hospitals in the independent sector
  • Independent treatment centres

Please note: CQC and OFSTED do not distribute these alerts. Independent healthcare providers and social care providers can sign up to receive MDAs directly from the Department of Health’s Central Alerting System (CAS) by sending an email to: safetyalerts@dh.gsi.gov.uk and requesting this facility.

Manufacturer contact

John McIlvaney

Customer Services Manager

Hospira UK

Queensway

Royal Leamington Spa

CV31 3RW

Tel: 0800 028 7304

Fax: 0800 028 7305

Email: custserv@hospira.com

Feedback

If you have any comments or feedback on this Medical Device Alert please email us at: dts@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

England

If you are in England, please send enquiries about this notice to the MHRA, quoting reference number MDA/2013/006 or 2013/002/004/291/031

Technical aspects

Sharon Knight or Roopa Prabhakar

Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Floor 4

151 Buckingham Palace Road

London SW1W 9SZ


Tel: 020 3080 7202/7293

Fax: 020 8754 3965

Email: sharon.knight@mhra.gsi.gov.uk or roopa.prabhakar@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

Clinical aspects

Mark Grumbridge

Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Floor 4

151 Buckingham Palace Road

London SW1W 9SZ


Tel: 020 3080 7128

Fax: 020 8754 3965

Email: mark.grumbridge@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 CAS website

Northern Ireland

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

How to report adverse incidents in Northern Ireland

Please report directly to NIAIC, further information can be found on the NIAIC website

Further information about SABS can be found on the SABS website

Scotland

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 (IRIC)Health Facilities Scotland Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre (IRIC)

Wales

Enquiries in Wales should be addressed to:

Improving Patient Safety Team

Medical Directorate

Welsh Government

Cathays Park

Cardiff CF10 3NQ

Tel: 029 2082 3922

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

Download documents

Medical Device Alert: Infusion pumps: Plum A+ and A+3 family of infusers manufactured by Hospira (MDA/2013/006) (66Kb)

Updates to this page

Published 17 December 2014