FDA MedWatch – V60 and V60 Plus Ventilators Equipped with High Flow Therapy Software Versions 3.00 and 3.10 by Philips Respironics:
Recall – Due to Risk of Receiving Reduced Oxygen
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MedWatch – The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program
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TOPIC: V60 and V60 Plus Ventilators Equipped with High Flow Therapy Software Versions 3.00 and 3.10 by Philips Respironics: Class I Recall – Due to Risk of Receiving Reduced Oxygen
AUDIENCE: Patient, Health Professional, Risk Manager
ISSUE: Philips Respironics is recalling the V60 and V60 Plus ventilators that provide High Flow Therapy (Software Version 3.00 and Software Version 3.10) due to the risk to the patients who rely on the ventilator to provide high flow oxygen therapy if the system pressure reaches the default maximum limit. This can occur if the oxygen flow is partially blocked for any reason. If the issue causing maximum system pressure is not resolved by the health care provider, the ventilator will continue to provide the patient with lower oxygen flow rate and issue a low priority alarm. This could lead to serious adverse events, including death.
There have been 61 incidents, 25 injuries, and no deaths reported for this issue.
For more information about this recall, click on the red button “Read Recall” below.
BACKGROUND: V60 and V60 Plus ventilators equipped with high flow therapy are used to provide patients with breathing assistance at high concentration of oxygen at a higher flow than typical oxygen therapy. These devices include a design safety mechanism limiting the amount of flow that can be delivered to a patient in situations where the system pressure reaches a default maximum pressure limit, due to a partial obstruction in the breathing circuit.
RECOMMENDATIONS: On June 18 2021, Philips Respironics sent an “Urgent Field Safety Notice” letter to all affected customers and provided the following instructions when using this device for high flow oxygen therapy:
Monitor the patient’s oxygen saturation continuously.
Provide constant and close monitoring of all patients who are dependent on supplemental oxygen and at risk of clinical deterioration to prevent dangerous drops in blood oxygen levels, work of breathing, respiratory distress and resulting escalation in medical treatment.
Respond to all alarms urgently, regardless of alarm priority.
Do not use high flow therapy if the patient cannot be constantly and closely monitored by the clinician.
Refer to and follow the user manual addendum (attached to the safety notice) titled “V60 Plus User Manual Addendum: High-Flow Therapy Safety and Alarm Page 3 of 8 Features”. This user manual addendum provides additional technical details about the “Cannot Reach Target Flow” (CRTF) alarm functionality.
Watch the “Understanding HFT” video for additional information and education regarding this issue.
Complete, sign, and return the Acknowledgment and Receipt Form sent with the letter.
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Health professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
