MHRA Safety Alert – Hemodialysis

Dialog+ haemodialysis machines with software versions 9.xx (excluding versions 9.18, 9.1A, 9.1B) – software and hardware upgrade required (MDA/2019/024)

Summary

Manufactured by B. Braun Avitum AG – Malfunction of the temperature sensor can result in temperature of the dialysis fluid to be more than ±1°C outside the programmed values, which can lead to inadequate treatment.

Action

  • Identify affected machines
  • Contact the manufacturer to obtain service kit SW 9.1B or to schedule machines for a service upgrade.
  • Ensure this upgrade is scheduled at the next planned service, prioritising patients who use this machine at home.
  • Whilst waiting for the scheduled upgrade:
    • be aware of the potential for incorrect dialysis fluid temperatures whilst patients are undergoing treatment. The machine will alarm and stop treatment if the temperature goes outside the range 33 to 42 °C.
    • consider adding a check for dialysis fluid temperature if a patient complains about unexpectedly feeling warmer or cooler than usual during treatment.
  • Report suspected or actual adverse events involving these devices through your local incident reporting system and/or your national incident reporting authority as appropriate: EnglandScotlandNorthern IrelandWales. You should also report directly to manufacturers if your local or national systems do not.

Action by

All staff responsible for using and maintaining haemodialysis equipment.

Deadlines for actions

Actions underway: 18 September 2019

Actions complete: 26 June 2020

Problem/background

It has been identified that if the temperature sensor at the dialyser inlet (TDSE) experiences a malfunction, the Dialog+ machine may try to incorrectly heat or cool the dialysis fluid anywhere between 33 and 42°C.

The machine will continue to operate but will not alarm to indicate that the temperature of the dialysis fluid is ±1˚C outside its prescribed value. Implementing the service kit SW9.1B will resolve this issue.

If the temperature of the dialysis fluid falls below 33°C or exceeds 41°C at the temperature sensor in the machine, treatment will stop and the machine will alarm.

Device details

This issue affects all Dialog+ machines with software versions 9.xx (excluding software 9.18, 9.1A, 9.1B). The current software version of your machines can be identified from the start screen in the lower right corner, after you switch on the machine.

The dialysis fluid temperature can be accessed via a service screen for comprehensive review by a trained service technician.

Manufacturer contacts

Product Complaints – B. Braun Medical UK

Tel: 0114 2259155

Email: catherine.clulow@bbraun.com

Business Manager – B. Braun Avitum UK

Tel: 0114 2259000

Email: christine.mccabe@bbraun.com

B. Braun Avitum UK will contact customers directly to provide additional information.

Link to MHRA site:

https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/dialog-haemodialysis-machines-with-software-versions-9-xx-excluding-versions-9-18-9-1a-9-1b-software-and-hardware-upgrade-required-mda-2019-024

About the author

Partner and General Manager, Brian Pate is ISO 1385:2016 Lead Auditor certified for Medical Device Quality Management Systems (MD), and ISO 19011:2018 Management Systems Auditing (AU) and Leading Management Systems Audit Teams (TL). Brian started his medical device career in anesthesia clinical research in 1985 and has since worked both academia and industry including many years with Johnson & Johnson, Baxter Healthcare, and GE Medical. Brian’s roles have included software engineering, systems engineering, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. Brian has served on multiple AAMI TIR working groups, including TIR32-2008 (Application of ISO 14971 Risk Management to Software; now IEC 80002-1) and TIR45-2012 (Guidance on the use of Agile practices in the development of medical device software) and served as a reviewer for the 2nd edition of TIR45. Brian serves on the AAMI Software Committee and as an AAMI instructor for the software, design controls, and agile methods courses. Brian also is a member of the Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) Standards Technical Panel for UL1998 (Software in Programmable Components) and or UL5500 (Remote Software Updates).

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