GE Healthcare Recalls Infant Warmers

GE Healthcare

UNITED STATES – According to an online news article published by healio.com, GE Healthcare has recalled more than 25,000 Giraffe and Panda i-Res infant warmers following reports of two infants falling and sustaining skull fractures.

GE Healthcare manufactures infant warmers used in the hospital setting to provide infrared heat to infants who are unable to maintain their body temperature.  The company’s Giraffe infant warmers are used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) while the Panda i-Res infant warmers are used in labor and delivery.

After more than 300 complaints and two injuries, GE Healthcare has issued a recall of more than 25,000 Giraffe and Panda i-Res infant warmers. The complaints allege that the bedside panels and latches of the infant warmers can crack or break if the panels are used to move the warmers.  Such cracking and breaking leave infants vulnerable to falling and sustaining injuries or death.  So far, two infants have reportedly sustained skull fractures from falling out of the infant warmers.  The specific infant warmers subject to recall were manufactured between October 1, 2007, and February 28, 2019.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled the GE Healthcare infant warmer recall as “Class I,” meaning that the infant warmers pose a serious risk of harm or death to patients.  Class I is the most series category of recalls, and the FDA only labels a recall as Class I if there is a substantial risk of harm.

GE Healthcare is requesting that consumers inspect the infant warmers to determine if there is any cracking or breaking in the bedside panel or latch areas.  Additionally, consumers are advised to avoid using the bedside panels to move the infant warmer but instead should use the designated front or rear handle to move the infant warmer.