We have been made aware of an issue with some Philips Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and mechanical ventilator devices.
Philips Respironics UK has issued a Field Safety Notice. This notice says that under certain conditions the foam part of the machine can be damaged. This notice has been issued globally, so it is not specific to the UK.
These conditions, all of which are rare in the UK, include:
The NHS has been working closely with Philips and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who are responsible for patient safety. There have been no known safety issues related to these products reported in the UK. No adverse events in the UK in relation to these devices have been reported to the MHRA.
For most patients the risk of not using these devices is far greater than the risk from the issue that Philips has reported. The MHRA has advised that patients should continue to use these devices.
Some patients with certain very rare forms of occupational asthma related to isocyanates will need to be moved onto an alternative device. If this applies to you, please notify us at the earliest opportunity via the command centre number below.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is taking a proactive approach to this Field Safety Notice by issuing all patients with an additional air filter for their machine. This extra filter is recommended by the Health Board but is not mandatory.
Filters can be collected from the Clinical Engineering departments through appointment only (Monday to Friday between the hours of 8 – 4pm) located at the following addresses:
Clinical Engineering Department, Equipment library, Bronglais Hospital, Caradoc Road, Aberystwyth SY23 1ER (PLEASE PHONE 01970 635926 to make an appointment)
Clinical Engineering Department, Equipment library, Glangwilli Hospital, Dolgwilli Road, Carmarthen SA31 2AF (PLEASE PHONE 01267 227793 to make an appointment)
Clinical Engineering Department, Equipment library, Withybush Hospital, Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest SA61 2PZ (PLEASE PHONE 01437 773130 to make an appointment)
Clinical Engineering Department, Equipment library, Prince Philip Hospital, Bryngwyn Mawr, Llanelli SA14 8QF (PLEASE PHONE 01554 783866 to make an appointment)
Please contact us on the Hywel Dda command centre number : 0300 303 8322 (9-5pm Monday to Friday) for further information. Please select the appropriate option on the line.