CareFusion Recall of Alaris PC Units Model 8015 Classified as Class I Recall

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- CareFusion , a leading, global medical device company, issued the following update regarding its previously disclosed recall of approximately 17,000 Alaris® PC units model 8015 manufactured or serviced between December 2008 and September 2009. The FDA has classified this action as a Class I recall. A Class I recall is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

On August 24, 2010, the company sent an urgent Medical Device Recall Notification to customers of its Alaris PC unit model 8015 stating that under certain wireless network conditions, affected units may experience an intermittent communication error, which freezes the PC unit screen. This error may result in a delay of therapy and inability to make programming changes to current infusions. If the communication error occurs during infusion, infusion continues on all channels, as originally programmed, but cannot be modified. When this error occurs, stopping the infusion to make any modification or programming changes causes the PC unit to shut down with a delay in therapy, which could lead to a serious injury or death.

In the notification letter, customers were provided clinical tip sheets and informed of warning tags for each of the affected units. Customers were also given instructions on how to temporarily or permanently disable the wireless mode of the PC unit setting to further mitigate the risk. This information is available at: http://www.carefusion.com/customer-support/alerts/alaris/medical-device-recall -alaris-8015.aspx

CareFusion is conducting a field corrective action to update the hardware on affected PC units.

The company recorded a reserve in its 2010 fiscal fourth quarter for all actions related to the corrective action plan and continues to believe the amount to be sufficient to fulfill its remediation obligations. The voluntary recall only affects Alaris PC units model 8015 manufactured or serviced between December 2008 and September 2009 and therefore, has no affect on the company's current infusion pump production or shipping processes.

Instructions to customers

Customer inquiries related to this action should be addressed to the CareFusion recall center at 888-562-6018. Additional information about the recall, including serial numbers of affected devices, can be found at http://www.carefusion.com/customer-support/alerts/alaris/medical-device-recall -alaris-8015.aspx

Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program: by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787; by phone at 1-800-332-1088; by fax at 1-800.FDA.0178 or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

About CareFusion

CareFusion is a global corporation serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals measurably improve the safety and quality of care. The company develops market-leading technologies including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, AVEA®, AirLife(TM) and LTV® series ventilation and respiratory products, ChloraPrep® products, MedMined(TM) services for infection surveillance, NeuroCare neurological monitoring and diagnostic products, V. Mueller® surgical instruments, and an extensive line of products that support interventional medicine. CareFusion employs more than 15,000 people across its global operations. More information may be found at http://www.carefusion.com/.

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CareFusion

CONTACT: Media, Suzanne Hatcher, [phone],
[e-mail], or Investors, Carol Cox, [phone],
[e-mail], both of CareFusion

Web Site: http://www.carefusion.com/