Manufacturers of vital ventilation machines issued a Medical Device Alert after reports that the emergency devices stop working due to oxide build up.

Drager has issued a ‘risk of failure’ alert to all users after multiple reports were made complaining that ventilation devices had stopped working.

This is reportedly not the first time the company has received these complaints. Dräger has now issued a second Field Safety Notice for the Oxylog 3000 and Oxylog 3000 plus ventilators.

The Oxylog 3000 devices are small portable ventilators usually used in hospitals and ambulances to assist patients with their breathing. Due to its small size, Dräger markets the machines for use in ambulances and even air-ambulances. The ventilation pressure control allows for adaptation when used in high altitudes, and the high tech devices have a visual user interface so that users may monitor the patient’s status.

Problems identified

The problem with the devices is related to the infrequent use of the control knobs. Through lack of use, the knobs can end up coated in oxide layers over time, and the accumulation of this is believed to be the cause of the machines ceasing to work.

At present, no injuries have been reported, but it’s easy to see the potential risk here. With patients who are already vulnerable or critically ill, oxygen is much needed, and even small degrees of oxygen deprivation or Hypoxia can lead to serious health problems and complications.

Without the constant flow of oxygen, the brain and internal organs can suffer significant damage if the cells die off, and carbon monoxide poisoning can ultimately lead to death.

Warnings on the devices

Since the device has audible and visual alerts for errors, users have been able to react accordingly to the machine’s loss of use. However, it would be frightening to think what damage could have been caused…

Previous issues reported

In a previous Field Safety Notice, Dräger had recommended the effective remedy of simply twisting the knobs to get rid of the oxide layer. To make sure this doesn’t happen again, users are to read up on the potential error and to check on the devices regularly.

The manufacturer has also initiated a new software update to reduce the impact of the error by prompting the turning, and users are requested to contact Dräger to perform the update.