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> CDRH > MedSun > Educational Materials > Reporting Problems with Medical Devices - Pediatric Version
Reporting Problems with Medical Devices - Pediatric Version
Improving Patient Safety by Reporting Problems with Medical Devices
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 1
Welcome participants.
STATE:For the next 10 minutes we’ll be talking about improving patient safety in our hospital. As you may know, our hospital is involved in a project called MedSun, which is a device-reporting project with the FDA. MedSun involves many other hospitals that are working with FDA to ensure patient safety by reporting adverse events involving medical devices.
Reporting Problems with Medical Devices
At the end of this session you will be able to:
- Identify several types of medical devices
- Explain why reporting problems with medical devices is important
- Describe your role in promoting patient safety with medical devices
- Describe the steps to take to report an adverse event or problem with a medical device in our hospital
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 2
STATE:
Our goal for the session is to
- increase awareness of incidents that potentially involve a medical device or technology and
- encourage our staff to report it quickly.
READ OBJECTIVES ON SLIDE:
At the end of the session you will be able to:
- Identify several types of medical devices
- Explain why reporting problems with medical devices is important
- Describe your role in promoting patient safety with medical devices
- Describe the steps to take to report an adverse event or problem with a medical device in our hospital
CLARIFY AND CONFIRM AS NEEDED
Types of Medical Devices and Examples
- Capital Equipment
- beds, bedrails, scales, wheelchairs, IV poles, infusion pumps, lifts, bathing tubs, blood pressure equipment, MRI and CAT scanners, radiology equipment
- Instruments
- lab equipment, surgical staplers, glucose meters, pulse oximeters
- Monitoring Systems
- cardiac, telemetry, patient call
- Reagents
- Disposables & Accessories
- ventilator breathing circuits, filters
- needles, syringes, trocars, IV catheters, IV tubing, foley catheters, feeding tubes, gloves
- Implantable
- defibrillators,ventriculoperitoneal shunts
- Computerized Medical Systems
- hardware
- software versions
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 3
EXPLAIN:
This slide lists types of medical devices in some general categories that you may be familiar with or work with on a daily basis. Some devices you may not realize are considered medical devices by the FDA such as laboratory solutions or computer software. This list is not all-inclusive but gives you some idea of the spectrum of devices. As you may know, devices can be anything from a q-tip and tongue depressor to a sophisticated scanner or hi tech heart lung machine. It’s important to note here that regardless of how the simple the device may be, it can still be problematic and contribute to an adverse event for a patient.
“Medical errors most often result from a complex interplay of multiple factors. Only rarely are they due to the carelessness or misconduct of single individuals.”
Lucian L. Leape, M.D.
A leading patient safety expert
from Harvard University
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 4
STATE:
This next slide is a quote from Dr. Lucien Leape from Harvard that reads, “ Medical errors most often result from a complex interplay of multiple factors. Only rarely are they due to the carelessness or misconduct of a single individual.” This quote addresses the complexity of a medical error and the challenges of determining what happened, who’s involved and why. The kinds of adverse events we’re discussing with devices falls under the general category of medical error.
“Swiss Cheese” Model of System Failure that Can Lead to Injury
Device Maintenance
FAILURE 1
Susceptible to maintenance-related breakdown; first free-flow event occurs
Device Problem Reporting
FAILURE 2
Pump labeled “broken” without details
Culture of Low Expectations
FAILURE 3
Recurring problem not pursued
Departmental Communication
FAILURE 4
Free-flow event
not reported to staff
2nd
FREE-FLOW:
PATIENT OVER-MEDICATED
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 5
This slide is a modified version of the “Swiss Cheese” model developed by James Reason, a well-known safety expert. It depicts a trajectory of harm (shown here as the black arrow) that moves through a hole or breaks-downs in systems where the cumulative effects of failures result in harm to a patient. Also, it can be described as a domino effect that continues because no intervention occurs. It’s important to note here that in isolation, each hole or failure in and of itself may be okay but as a process of successive failures the result can be serious harm or even death for a patient.
Let’s look at the model in the context of a problem involving an infusion pump. We begin with an infusion pump that’s not maintained and prone to break-down – a free flow event happens. The problem is not reported completely or in detail for the biomedical department, the tag only says, “broken, “ the hospital’s culture is one in which staff expect that device problems will always exist and nothing gets fixed well anyway, nor are they even communicated among departments, so free flow happens again and the result is catastrophic. You can apply this model to any potential for harm from a device that can easily slip through the holes.
Think About the Device and its Environment
Environment
- Electric Power, Heat, Humidity,
- Light, Other Devices (EMI)
Staff
Accessories & Disposables
- Exhalation Filter
- Heated Humidifier
- Medication Port & Filter
- Pressure Valves
- Tracheal Tube
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 6
EXPLAIN:
We know of the interface between devices and patients, but it’s important to consider the device in its many interfaces as well. The device shown here is a ventilator. When an adverse event occurs, it’s important to consider all characteristics of the
- Environment: such as the power source, lighting, and other devices, and the
- People involved: who may be the patient, device-operator, or visitors, and any
- Accessories and disposables: attached such as filters, valves, ports, and tubing, etc.
Any or many of these aspects of the adverse event may be the reason or a contributing factor and warrants further investigation to determine what may have happened.
What Types of Medical Device Problems Should I Look for?
- Instructions/labeling/packaging
- Defects
- Software problems
- Failure to work as intended/malfunction
- Interactions with other devices
- Use errors
- Combinations of the above
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 7
STATE:
This is a list of broad categories or ways to classify possible causes of adverse events. Some of what is listed here may remind you of problems you’ve had or times you have questioned a device as the reason for a problem.
Let’s briefly run through the list here and we’ll cover more detail with examples in the next several slides from actual MedSun reports.
NOTE TO INSTRUCTOR: read the list and move to next slides.
- Instructions/labeling/packaging
- Defects
- Software problems
- Failure to work as intended/malfunction
- Interactions with other devices
- Use errors
- Combinations of the above
Examples of Problems
Instructions/Labeling/Packaging
- age/weight specific usage information not provided
- new cardiac catheterization kit changed to non-sterile outer package; staff unaware and thought entire package was sterile
- staff discovered contaminants in the buretrol packaging
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 8
NOTE to instructor: Briefly describe the examples on each slide. It’s important to maintain a steady pace as you move through these next few slides to keep within the time frame. Spend approximately 1 minute per slide.
Instructions/Labeling/Packaging
- age or weight specific usage information is not provided in the instructions
- new cardiac cath kit outer package was changed to non-sterile but staff weren’t aware and assumed it was all sterile
- staff discovered contaminants in the buretrol packaging
Examples of Problems (continued)
Defects
- IV pump bracket found with large crack and sharp edges
- infant heal warmer pack leaking
- gloves found discolored and with holes
- nurse opened two suction catheters and discovered a knot in one
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 9
Defects
- IV pump bracket found with large crack and sharp edges
- infant heal warmer pack leaking
- gloves found discolored and with holes
- nurse opened two suction catheters and discovered a knot in one
Examples of Problems (continued)
Software problems
- imaging workstation downloaded patient A’s images into patient B’s folder
- CT scanner found to have a software glitch in new version
- virus infects device operating software
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 10
Software Problems
- some examples of medical computer software problems included an imaging workstation that downloaded patient A’s images into patient B’s folder and
- a CT scanner was found to have a glitch in the newer version that caused invalid dates to appear
- a virus from a hospital information system infected software used for operating a medical device
Examples of Problems (continued)
Failure to work as intended/ malfunction
- open warmer bed improperly measuring patient temperature
- stapler fired but did not cut
- point-of-care glucose results differ from lab results
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 11
STATE: Some examples of . . .
Failure to work as intended/malfunction include:
- an open warmer bed was improperly measuring patient temperature
- a pattern of staplers misfiring
- point-of-care glucose results were found to differ from lab results
Examples of Problems (continued)
Interactions with other devices
- burns with use of orthopedic shaver and grounding pad
- sandbag exploded inside MRI machine
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 12
Interactions with other devices includes:
- burns with use of an orthopedic shaver and grounding pad where the voltage potential between them was higher than expected
- a sandbag exploded inside a MRI machine and was found to have metal pellets inside that staff were unaware of
Examples of Problems (continued)
Use Errors
- infusion pumps by the same manufacturer look similar but operate differently
- otoscope and transilluminator look the same but have different light intensities
- incorrectly positioned radiant warmer temperature sensor causes overheating
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 13
STATE: In looking at . . .
Use Errors, we’ve had reports about
- infusion pumps that are made by the same manufacturer and look similar but operate differently so misprogramming of a medication occurred
- an otoscope and a transilluminator (used for locating veins for an IV) look the same but have different light intensities; staff took the otoscope and it resulted in a burn to a child
- an incorrectly positioned radiant warmer temperature sensor caused overheating of an infant
STATE: It’s important to note here that although you may think of these examples solely as “use error” they may be the result of a poorly designed device so it’s important to report it to us.
Why Reporting Medical Device Problems Is Important In Our Hospital
- Prevent future problems and protect our patients, staff, families, and visitors
- Achieve performance improvement goals
- Assist Risk Management with claims or litigation
- Provide information to manufacturers and/or U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Impact the public health for the nation’s patients and/or health care providers
- Effect changes in policies and procedures
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 14
STATE: So let’s talk specifically about our hospital and. . .
“Why Reporting Medical Device Problems is Important in Our Hospital. It will, most importantly, . . . ”
(Read slide)
- Prevent future problems and protect our patients, staff, families and visitors
- Achieve performance improvement goals
- Assist Risk Management with claims or litigation
- Provide information to manufacturers and/or U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Impact the public health for the nations’ patients and/or healthcare providers
- Effect changes in policies and procedures
When Do I Report?
When you think a device has or may have caused or contributed to any of the following outcomes (for a patient, staff member or visitor):
- Death
- Serious injury
- Minor injury
- Close calls or other potential for harm
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 15
STATE: So you may ask. . .
“When Do I Report?”
When you think a device has caused or contributed to any of the following outcomes for a patient, a staff member, or a visitor:
- Death
- Serious injury
- Minor injury, or
- Close calls or other potential harm
What Do We Mean by “Potential for Harm?"
Events that are caught before anything harmful occurred
- compatible connection between blood pressure cuff tubing and IV luer port
Important observations of a chronic problem with a device
- electrosurgical units used in an oxygen-rich environment
Problems which lead staff to develop “work-a-rounds”
- taping devices together, or substituting parts because of problems with a certain part
“Out-of-the-box” problems that are identified before use on a patient
- ECMO membrane found to leak prior to being used on patient
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 16
STATE: Next, let’s look closely at . . .
“What Do We Mean by “Potential for Harm?”
- Events that are caught before anything harmful occurred
- Important observations of a chronic problem with a device
- Problems which lead staff to develop “work-a-rounds”
- “Out-of-the-box” problems that are identified before used on a patient
What Do I Report?
If there was an injury, what happened to the persons affected?
- second degree burn, respiratory arrest
What, if any, were the problems with the device(s) involved?
- circumcision clamp failed due to mismatched parts
What, if any, were the original medical procedures for which the devices were used?
What, if any, were the follow-up medical procedures required because of the event?
- repeat surgery, antibiotics administered
What are the names of the manufacturers of the devices involved?
What are the relevant manufacturer device identification numbers?
- serial, model, lot, catalog, and any other specific information
What did you do to solve the problem?
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 17
STATE: We’ve looked at when to report, let’s focus now on what to report. This information is so valuable because it’s focused on getting complete information initially and possibly from the staff person who may have been directly involved. Then the effort is made to have a complete report and it’s expedites any follow up steps.
What Do I Report?
- If there was an injury, what happened to the persons affected?
STATE: was it a burn, or did the patient arrest
- What, if any, were the problems with the device(s) involved?
STATE: for example, a circumcision clamp causes excessive bleeding due to mismatched parts (manufacturer A’s parts were improperly paired with manufacturer B’s parts)
- What, if any, were there original medical procedures for which the device were used?
- What, if any, were the follow up medical procedures required because of the event?
STATE: was repeat surgery needed, or antibiotics administered
- What are the names of the manufacturers of the devices involved?
- What are the relevant manufacturer device identification numbers?
STATE: what are the serial numbers, or model, catalog and lot numbers, or any other device information. And, finally. . . .
- What did you do to solve the problem?
(discuss idea of pocket card here)
How Do I Report?
Our Reporting System Involves . . .
(Customized responses would be listed below)
- Online reporting system via hospital intranet
- Verbal or written reporting to supervisor
- Written acknowledgment to the reporter including any follow up actions
- Reward system for “best catches” that make patient care safer
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 18
STATE: And lastly,
How Do I [you] Report?
Our Reporting System Involves. . .
When You See a Device That Presents a Problem You Should . . .
(Customized responses would be listed below)
- Attach an “out of service” tag and complete any questions to explain what happened
- Inform your supervisor or biomedical engineering
- Complete an incident report
- Save the device and packaging and place in a clear plastic bag
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 19
When You See a Device That Presents a Problem, You Should. . .
Some Issues We’ve Addressed at Our Hospital
What Was Reported . . .
(Customized responses to appear below)
- ECMO pump malfunction
- backflow of secondary IV fluid
What We Did . . .
(Customized responses to appear below)
- Found electromagnetic interference with nearby use of walkie-talkie; frequency changed; reported to MedSun
- consulted manufacturer; height issue enforced with IV bags; reported to MedSun
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 20
STATE: We’ve listed
Some Issues We’ve Addressed here at Our Hospital
With device problems and the actions we took to solve them. We hope this will reinforce with everyone the importance of reporting what you’ve seen so we can intervene and prevent any harm to patients, staff, and visitors to our hospital.
READ SLIDE
What Was Reported. . .
What We Did. . .
Fostering a Climate of Patient Safety
(Customized responses would be listed below)
- Feedback and communication
- Learning from errors
- Compliance with policies and procedures
- Teamwork
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 21
STATE: Here’s what we need to do as an organization to
“Foster a Climate of Patient Safety”
STATE: We need to
- Provide feedback and communication about adverse events and close calls
- Learn from our errors
- Comply with our policies and procedures
- And promote and exhibit teamwork
If You’re Not Sure What or How to Report
(Customized responses would be listed below)
- Refer to the incident reporting section in our Policy and Procedures manual
- Ask your supervisor, or
- Call our reporting hotline at extension ____
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 22
If You’re Not Sure What or How to Report. . .
Your Role
- Identify actual and potential problems, adverse events, close calls with medical devices
- Report the problem or adverse event to your supervisor, according to policy and procedure
- Make sure your report includes details
- Remove the device and save the packaging
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 23
STATE: And, Your Role. . . is to. . .
In Summary . . .
Our objectives were to:
- Identify several types of medical devices
- Explain why reporting problems with medical devices is important
- Describe your role in promoting patient safety with medical devices
- Describe the steps to take to report an adverse event or problem with a medical device in our hospital
Have we met them?
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 24
In Summary
NOTE to Instructor: Read slide
And Remember . . .
We can’t address issues we don’t know about.
Please report.
Speaker Notes
DISPLAY SLIDE # 25
And Remember. . . .
We can’t address issues we don’t know about. Please report.
Updated May 29, 2007 |
