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Luer Misconnections

Patient injuries and deaths have occurred when different device delivery systems are mistakenly connected to each other. These errors are often facilitated by fittings called Luer connectors, which can allow different systems to be easily, but erroneously, connected.

The 2009 Medical Device Safety Calendar (Luer Misconnections) is one of FDA’s efforts to help educate healthcare professionals about these dangerous misconnections. The calendar provides a graphic depiction of a variety of misconnection cases, coupled with recommendations from The Joint Commission (TJC) on ways to prevent these types of errors.

On this website, you can download or print the calendar, case studies, and additional resources about Luer misconnections and how to help prevent them. Clinical facilities may request copies of calendar, free of charge, at luersafety@fda.hhs.gov while supplies last.

The 2009 Medical Device Safety Calendar is a product of the US Federal Government, and as such is NOT copyrighted or restricted in any way. We encourage you to use and distribute this material – either in its entirety or in part.

Updated February 19, 2009