Hospira Recalls Devices Due to Defective Power Cords

Hospira Inc. is issuing an urgent recall for some <“https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/defective_medical_devices”>medical delivery equipment because the devices include defective AC power cords manufactured by Electri-Cord Manufacturing Corporation.

According to UPI, the items included in this recall include several LifeCare and Plum products, along with the Oximetrix 3 SO2/CO Cardiac Output Computer, Nutrimix Micro Compounder and the GemStar Docking Station. A full list of the recalled items is available on the FDA Web site.

This recall is being issued in response to customer reports of sparking, charring and fires on the plug of the power cord. Hospira’s investigation of these reports determined that the power cord’s prongs may crack and fail at or inside the plug. The potential risks from this power cord failure include electrical shock, delay in setup and therapy, interruption of therapy, device failure, and fires which may also occur in an oxygen-rich environment. Depending on the device and therapy, these failures may lead to potential serious injury or death.

Hospira is working with its customers to replace all affected power cords regardless of their condition. Hospira will begin service activity the week of Aug. 16, 2009, and will continue until all replacement activity is complete.

This recall is limited to device power cords with a prong and ground-pin insert design, which can be identified by a black plastic bridge connecting the terminal prongs on the plug. Hospira will instruct users of these products to inspect and identify affected power cords on their devices to determine whether a product contains an affected Electri-Cord AC power cord.

Users with affected power cords that have bent or cracked prongs, burnt plastic or excessive wear and tear should discontinue use immediately and contact their Hospira sales representative or Hospira Technical Support Operations at 1-800-241-4002 (available from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific time) for instructions on receiving replacement parts or devices. Users with affected power cords that are not exhibiting any of these characteristics should monitor the power cords regularly and be mindful of excessive wear and tear, misuse or abuse until all affected cords can be replaced.