On January 13, 2017, Physio-Control, a provider of professional emergency medical response solutions, announced a voluntary field action for the LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillator due to reported instances where the device has shut down unexpectedly during patient treatment. The company admits that it has received 34 reports where customers have attempted to use their LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillator and the device has shut down unexpectedly due to an intermittent connection between the battery and device electrical contacts, stating, “A defibrillator in this scenario may not be able to deliver therapy during a resuscitation attempt, which may expose patients to the risk of serious harm or death.” The company also reported that it is aware of 8 adverse events related to this issue.
The Company’s announcement indicates that it “has determined that this intermittent connection is a result of wear and subsequent oxidation formation between the battery and device electrical contacts. This condition can occur over time in LIFEPAK 1000 devices that are exposed to vibration and have a battery installed for long periods of time. This issue can potentially affect any LIFEPAK 1000 device, however customers with non-rechargeable batteries who do not routinely remove the battery for inspection, as indicated in the LIFEPAK 1000 Defibrillator Operating Instructions, are more susceptible to this issue.”
Customers are advised to immediately remove and reinstall the battery from their device(s) and implement a weekly schedule of battery removal and reinstallation for all LIFEPAK 1000 devices.
Attorney Pamela Borgess, the founder of Borgess Law, LLC, has successfully represented multiple clients who have sustained serious injury or whose loved ones have died as a result of defective or recalled products. For more information or to speak with Attorney Borgess, contact Borgess Law, LLC at (567) 455-5955. You can also contact Borgess Law, LLC by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law, LLC never charges a fee for an initial consultation.