GE Healthcare division Vital Signs is warning anesthesiologists that its Multi Absorber Original anesthesia systems could have problems with air leakage. Launching a voluntary field corrective action for the device, the company notes that the device could have a thin wall that could cause holes to form in the drain tube. The problem could lead to a loss of anesthetic gases, ventilation, and oxygenation to patients.
The company is reaching out to affected parties and replacing the problematic devices at no charge.
Vital Signs offers a range of products for anesthesiology and provides hospitals with infection-control products and consumables.
Recently, San Diego–based CareFusion announced that it had finalized its $500 million purchase of the GE Healthcare division.
"The acquisition of Vital Signs doubles the size of our Specialty Disposables business and transforms it into an industry leader by adding global scale and a new call point in anesthesia," explained the company's chairman and CEO, Kieran Gallahue, in a statement.
