Aisys and Aisys CS2 anaesthesia devices with Et Control option and software versions 11, 11SP01 and 11SP02 – risk of patient awareness due to inadequate anaesthesia

Press Release

By:

Ref: MHRA

Published: 05/30/2019

Aisys and Aisys CS2 anaesthesia devices with Et Control option and software versions 11, 11SP01 and 11SP02 – risk of patient awareness due to inadequate anaesthesia

Action

  • Follow the instructions to upgrade software on devices listed in the manufacturer’s FSN GEHC Ref# 34098.
  • Devices with software upgraded as part of MDA/2019/001 are affected and will need the latest software upgrade.
  • If devices are not using the listed software versions, no further action is required.
  • Before using End Tidal Control (Et Control) mode, clinicians should undertake an appropriate risk assessment.
  • If using the device in End Tidal Control mode, additional patient monitoring is recommended.
  • Contact GE Healthcare at askuktechnicalsupport@ge.com or 01707 263570 to arrange the installation of the software update.
  • Report suspected or actual adverse events involving these devices through your local incident reporting system and/or your national incident reporting authority as appropriate: EnglandScotlandNorthern IrelandWales. You should also report directly to manufacturers if your local or national systems do not.

Action by

All healthcare professionals who are responsible for or who use these devices.

Deadlines for action

Actions underway: 13 June 2019

Actions complete: 30 July 2019

Medical Device Safety Officer (in England)

Ask the manufacturer to add you to their distribution list for field safety notices (FSNs). This is to help with reconciliation.

Remember: if your organisation receives an FSN from a manufacturer, always act on it. Do not wait for a communication from MHRA.

Device details

In addition to the Field Safety Notice, which details affected products, please refer to the spreadsheet below which accompanies this MDA for additional unique device identification information.

Manufacturer contacts

GE Healthcare 

Tel: 01707 263570

askuktechnicalsupport@ge.com

Distribution

If you are responsible for cascading these alerts in your organisation, these are our suggested distribution lists.

Trusts (NHS boards in Scotland)

CAS and NICAS liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:

  • Adult intensive care units
  • Anaesthesia, directors of
  • Anaesthetic medical staff
  • Anaesthetic nursing staff
  • Anaesthetists
  • Clinical governance leads
  • EBME departments
  • Intensive care medical staff/paediatrics
  • Intensive care nursing staff (adult)
  • Intensive care nursing staff (paediatric)
  • Intensive care units
  • Intensive care, directors of
  • Operating department practitioners
  • Paediatric intensive care units

Independent distribution

Establishments registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (England only)

  • Hospitals in the independent sector

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 Central Alerting System (CAS) by sending an email to: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk and requesting this facility.

Enquiries

England

Send enquiries about this notice to MHRA, quoting reference number MDA/2019/022 or 2019/004/002/291/004.

Technical Aspects

Emma Rooke and Ben Satchell, MHRA 

Tel: 020 3080 6000

DSS-TM@mhra.gov.uk

Clinical Aspects

Devices Clinical Team, MHRA 

Tel: 020 3080 7274

dct@mhra.gov.uk

To report an adverse incident involving a medical device in England use the Yellow Card reporting page.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre (NIAIC) 
CMO Group 
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 

Tel: 0208 9052 3868

niaic@health-ni.gov.uk

To report an adverse incident involving a medical device in Northern Ireland use the forms on the website.

Alerts in Northern Ireland are distributed via the NICAS system.

Scotland

Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre (IRIC) 
Health Facilities Scotland 
NHS National Services Scotland 

Tel: 0131 275 7575

nss.iric@nhs.net

To report an adverse incident involving a medical device in Scotland, email IRIC to request a webform account. For more information, or if you can’t access the webform, visit the website: how to report an adverse incident.

Wales

Population Healthcare Division, Welsh Government 

Tel: 02920 823 624 / 02920 825 510

Haz-Aic@wales.gsi.gov.uk

To report an adverse incident involving a medical device in Wales, use the Yellow Card reporting page and follow specific advice for reporting in Wales in MDA/2004/054 (Wales).