The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), United Kingdom issued a medical device alert regarding reusable transoesophageal echocardiography, transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound probes (transducers) manufactured by all manufacturers.
The MHRA is aware of an incident where the death of a patient from hepatitis B infection may have been associated with a failure to appropriately decontaminate a transoesophageal echocardiography probe between each patient use.
The MHRA advised users to appropriately decontaminate all types of reusable ultrasound probes.
For details, please refer to the following MHRA website:
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Safetywarningsalertsandrecalls/MedicalDeviceAlerts/index.htm
If you are in possession of the affected product, please contact your supplier for necessary actions.
Posted on 29 June 2012