PATIENT TRANS
Received Jun 20, 2017 · Event occurred Jul 15, 2015
Report 1531186-2017-00010 · MDR key 6654305
Device
Product problems
- Material Separation
- Material Separation
Patient
Not reported
- Death
- Death
Narrative
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
INVACARE'S LAWYER SPOKE WITH THE PATIENT'S LAWYER WHO STATED THE LIFT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A HILL-ROM LIFT, THE SLING IS REPORTED TO BE AN INVACARE DEVICE. THE LAWYER REPORTED THE SLING RIPPED. ALTHOUGH IN THE DOCUMENTS THE USE OF ONE CAREGIVER INSTEAD OF TWO IS REPEATEDLY IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT. THE MODEL, AGE AND MANUFACTURE OF THE SLING IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEVICE WAS NOT RETURNED AND NO RETURN IS EXPECTED. BASED ON AVAILABLE INFORMATION THE UNDERLYING CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. IF MORE INFORMATION IS RECEIVED, THE DECISION WILL BE REEVALUATED. THE USER MANUAL 1023891 REV-I PAGE 5 STATES: INVACARE SLINGS ARE MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR USE WITH INVACARE LIFTS. FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PATIENT, DO NOT INTERMIX SLINGS AND LIFTS OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS.
Description of Event or Problem
LAWSUIT RECEIVED STATING PATIENT WAS BEING TRANSFERRED WITH AN UNSPECIFIED PATIENT LIFT WHEN THE PATIENT FELL AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIB AND OTHER INTERNAL INJURIES WHICH LEAD TO THE PATIENT BLEEDING TO DEATH. NO MALFUNCTION OF THE LIFT IS REPORTED.