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(All manufacturers) foam heads of oral swabs may detach from the stick during use, which may present a choking hazard for patients. (MDA/2012/020)
Action underway: 27 April 2012, action complete: 14 May 2012
Oral swabs with a foam head.
Image of Oral swabs with a foam head.
Foam heads of oral swabs may detach from the stick during use. This may present a choking hazard for patients.
The MHRA is aware of a recent incident in Wales where the foam head detached from the stick of an oral swab while a carer was providing mouth care to an elderly patient. The foam head could not be retrieved. The patient subsequently died.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use (where available).
Check that the foam head is firmly attached to the stick before use.
Do not leave the swabs soaking in liquid prior to use as this may affect the strength of the foam head attachment.
If required moisten the swab immediately before use.
If the patient is likely to bite down on the swab consider using an alternative such as a small headed toothbrush with soft bristles.
Ensure that all users, including unsupervised patients and carers, are aware of this advice and the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Discard oral swabs after use.
This advice supersedes the advice given in MDA/2008/017.
All those involved in the use and supply of these devices including those who advise patients and carers.
This MDA has been sent to:
Please bring this notice to the attention of relevant employees in your establishment. Below is a suggested list of recipients.
Trusts CAS and SABS (NI) liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:
Primary care trusts CAS liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:
Establishments registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (England only)
This alert should be read by:
This alert should be read by:
Please note: CQC and OFSTED do not distribute these alerts. Independent healthcare providers and social care providers can sign up to receive MDAs directly from the Department of Health’s Central Alerting System (CAS) by sending an email to: safetyalerts@dh.gsi.gov.uk and requesting this facility.
If you have any comments or feedback on this Medical Device Alert please email us at: dts@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
If you are in England, please send enquiries about this notice to the MHRA, quoting reference number MDA/2012/020 or 2012/003/001/401/005.
Mojisola Ajeneye or Sally Mounter Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Floor 4 151 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SZ Tel: 020 3080 7271/7168 Fax: 020 8754 3965
Email: mojisola.ajeneye@mhra.gsi.gov.uk or Sally.mounter@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
Dr Nicola Lennard Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Floor 4 151 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SZ Tel: 020 3080 7126 Fax: 020 8754 3965
Email: nicola.lennard@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
Please report via our website: Reporting adverse incidents involving medical devices
Further information about CAS can be found on the CAS website
Alerts in Northern Ireland will continue to be distributed via the NI SABS system.
Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Northern Ireland should be addressed to:
Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre Health Estates Investment Group Room 17 Annex 6 Castle Buildings Stormont Estate Dundonald BT4 3SQ Tel: 02890 523 704 Fax: 02890 523 900
Email: NIAIC@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Please report directly to NIAIC, further information can be found on the NIAIC website
Further information about SABS can be found on the SABS website
This alert supersedes Hazard Notice HAZ(SC)08/06, issued by Scottish Healthcare Supplies on 19 March 2008
Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Scotland should be addressed to:
Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre Health Facilities Scotland NHS National Services Scotland Gyle Square 1 South Gyle Crescent Edinburgh EH12 9EB Tel: 0131 275 7575 Fax: 0131 314 0722
Email: nss.iric@nhs.net
Health Facilities Scotland Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre (IRIC)Health Facilities Scotland Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre (IRIC)
Enquiries in Wales should be addressed to:
Dr Chris Jones Medical Director Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ Tel: 029 2082 3922
Email: Haz-Aic@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Medical Device Alert: Oral swabs with a foam head, all manufacturers (MDA/2012/020) (487Kb)
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