Smith Medical Device Recall: When Breathing Tubes Are Too Small

Imagine you’re in a hospital, needing help to breathe. Doctors put in a tube called an endotracheal tube to help your lungs get air. But what if that tube was the wrong size? That’s exactly what happened with certain breathing tubes made by Smiths Medical.

What Happened?

Smiths Medical, which makes medical equipment, found that some of their Portex brand endotracheal tubes were smaller than they should have been. These are the tubes used to help people breathe when they can’t do it on their own, especially during surgery or in emergencies. The affected sizes were 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 mm, which are often used for children or people with smaller airways.

Why Is This a Problem?

If the tube is too small, it can cause serious problems:

• Hypoxia: This means your body isn’t getting enough oxygen.
• Underdose: If you’re getting medicine through the tube, a smaller tube might mean you don’t get enough.
• Cardiopulmonary Collapse: This is when your heart and lungs stop working properly.
• Death: In the worst cases, these problems can be fatal.

Smiths Medical reported that they had received eight reports of serious injuries that might be related to these faulty tubes. That’s a scary number!

What Did the Company Do?

Smiths Medical issued an “Urgent Medical Device Correction.” This is like a recall, but it’s often used when a company needs to give specific instructions to doctors and hospitals about how to handle a problem. They sent letters to hospitals and other places that use these tubes, telling them:

• There’s a problem with certain sizes.
• How to check if their tubes are affected.
• What to do if they have the wrong-sized tubes.

They also posted information on the ICU Medical website, because ICU medical now owns Smiths Medical.

What Should You Do?

If you or someone you know has had a breathing tube recently, especially if there were problems, it’s important to:

• Talk to your doctor: They can tell you if the tube used was one of the affected sizes.
• Keep all medical records: Records are very important if you think you have been harmed.
• Contact Smiths Medical: If you have questions, you can contact the company using the information they provided.
• Report to the FDA: The FDA wants to know about problems with medical devices. You can report any issues through their MedWatch program.

How KBD Attorneys Can Help

This is where KBD Attorneys, or other similar personal injury law firms, come in. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a faulty medical device, a lawyer can help you:

• Understand your rights: Laws about medical devices can be complicated. A lawyer can explain them to you.
• Gather evidence: They can help get medical records and other information to prove what happened.
• File a lawsuit: If you’ve been seriously injured, you might be able to sue the company that made the faulty device.
• Negotiate a settlement: A lawyer can help you get fair compensation for your injuries.
• Represent you in court: If the case goes to trial, a lawyer will fight for you.

Why Get a Lawyer?

Dealing with a medical device injury can be overwhelming. You might be dealing with:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

A lawyer can take the burden off your shoulders and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Important Things to Remember

• Medical device recalls are serious.
• If you’ve been harmed, you have rights.
• A lawyer can help you understand those rights.
• Always seek medical attention first, if you have been harmed.

It’s important to remember that companies that make medical devices have a responsibility to make sure their products are safe. When they fail to do that, and people get hurt, they need to be held accountable.