HomeChoice systems are intended for automatic control of dialysis solutions exchange in the treatment of adult and pediatric renal failure patients. Baxter International says last month’s recall of HomeChoice and HomeChoice Pro peritoneal dialysis cyclers has been designated a Class I recall. Class I recalls are the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) most serious type of recall action, and are issued when a device poses a risk of serious injury or patient death.
HomeChoice systems are intended for automatic control of dialysis solutions exchange in the treatment of adult and pediatric renal failure patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. According to the recall notice, the action was taken because of reports of patients overfilling their abdominal cavities, a complication known as Increased Intraperitoneal Volume (IIPV).
Over the last two years, Baxter has received serious injury reports and at least one patient death report associated with the use of HomeChoice and HomeChoice Pro peritoneal dialysis cyclers.
Baxter said it is still investigating the source of the problems and is working on changes to labeling and software to prevent patient errors.
Baxter has advised patients and caregivers to watch for the potential signs of IIPV
Baxter has advised patients and caregivers to watch for the potential signs of IIPV. These include: difficulty breathing; vomiting or spitting up; a child complaining of a “funny feeling” in the abdomen; a child crying during therapy without other apparent reasons; difficulties feeding; feeling full, bloated, or overfilled after treatment; abdominal pain or discomfort; expanded or tense abdomen; localized swelling around the genital area (labia, scrotum) or groin region, belly button, the tunnel tract of the peritoneal dialysis catheter or the PD catheter exit site; leakage of fluid from the PD catheter exit site; and unexpected increase in blood pressure.
If patients or caregivers notice any of these symptoms, they should stop the device, initiate manual drain, and contact their healthcare provider immediately.
According to Baxter, children and non-verbal patients may be at increased risk because of their smaller size and/or inability to communicate. Increased monitoring of these patients is recommended. Other vulnerable populations include critically ill patients and patients with pulmonary and hemodynamic instability.
Model numbers affected by this recall include: 5C4471, 5C4471R, 5C8310, 5C8310R, 5C4474, 5C4474R, R5C8320, R5C8320R, T5C4441, T5C4441R, T5C8300, T5C8300R, 5C4474D and 5C4474DR. The recall notice does not require the physical return of HomeChoice units and patients may continue using them.
Baxter’s recall notice said it was important
that clinicians review the prescription settings for devices to help reduce prescription errors and weigh the risks and benefits of continued use of this device by their patients.
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