ALERT: What is recommended in response to the recent home ventilator recall
Connected Care Quick Hits are up to date and evidence based recommendations for the care of children with medical complexity & technology dependence, from hospital to home.
ALERT: What is recommended in response to the recent home ventilator recall
SITUATION:
This QuickHit comes as a practice alert following a voluntary recall by the manufacturer of select ventilators commonly used in paediatric home and community care.
BACKGROUND:
Philips Respironics is voluntarily recalling several devices, of which two are currently used in paediatric home and community care.
The following safety issues have been identified with the use of these devices:
Breakdown of a foam inside the device that may cause particles to enter the air pathway and be ingested or inhaled by the user
The foam may ‘off-gas’ certain chemicals if it has been cleaned using unapproved methods.
ASSESSMENT:
At the beginning of the shift, assess the type of ventilator the child is on and complete a full safety check. See: QuickHit: How to do a safety check for children on home ventilation
The 2 ventilators known to be issued for paediatrics in Ontario and affected by this recall are the Trilogy 200 Ventilator, and the A-Series BiPap A40.
RECOMMENDATION:
Connected Care recommends, as directed by Philips Respironics in their recall:
A40 Bilevel Unit:
If the child uses an A40 bilevel unit, the clinical team will partner with the Ventilator Equipment Pool to have it switched to another unit not affected by the recall.
Trilogy 200:
If the child uses a Trilogy 200 ventilator, the clinical team will likely suggest that an ‘inline antibacterial filter’ be added to the circuit, until a more permanent solution is implemented.
The filter for the Trilogy ventilator is added at the outlet of the ventilator into the child’s circuit (see photo below) as a way to help filter any particles that may be expelled by the device. Many families use these routinely, but not all. They are available from respiratory equipment vendors across the province.
In addition to the above recommendations:
Inspect the filter routinely for any discolouration or debris as part of your safety check. Replace filters weekly or sooner if visibly soiled.
Assess for any black debris within the ventilator tubing. If noted, change the filter and partner with the family to contact the Ventilator Equipment Pool.
Conduct ongoing respiratory assessments and maintain constant observation of the child when on their home ventilator.
Be alert to the potential for the following symptoms, per the manufacturer’s recall: respiratory distress, upper airway irritation, cough, chest pressure, headache, and sinus infection. Also, assess for any general signs of irritation (eye/nose/throat) or any other symptom if being acutely unwell.
Partner with the family caregiver to contact the child's point of care team for concerns regarding the child's clinical status or the functionality of their ventilator.
For any questions regarding this practice alert, please reach out to the child’s point-of-care team with expertise in long-term ventilation or the Ventilator Equipment Pool.
Connected Care Live is not to be used in the event of an emergency.
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