Endotracheal Tubes

Teleflex Medical is recalling some of the company’s AQUA+FLEX Hygroscopic Condenser Humidifiers. These devices are passive humidifiers used during mechanical ventilation to warm and humidify inspired gas. The company has received complaints that the flex tube connector may not fit securely inside the endotracheal tube connector, and that could cause these components to come apart. That should trigger an alarm from the ventilator, the oxygen sensor or other devices connected to the AQUA+FLEX tubing. But if the alarm isn’t responded to promptly, a disconnected tube could lead to serious injury or death in ventilator-dependent patients. The recall affects AQUA+FLEX humidifiers manufactured between March 2, 2009 and December 14, 2009. Anyone who has the recalled devices should not use them and contact Teleflex Medical at 866-246-6990. FDA Patient Safety News: July 2010 For more information, please see our website: www.accessdata.fda.gov