2006 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
Impact of Vapotherm Recall On Patient Care in the NICU
Terrell Ashe, RRT, Rose Dennis MS RRT RN, Cathy Grady RRT RN
Clinical Manager, Respiratory Care Services.
Athens Regional Medical Center, Athens, GA Rose Dennis MS RRT RN, Cathy Grady RRT RN
Introduction: The Vapotherm 2000i device was recalled due
to a possible association with Ralstonia bacteria
colonization. Approximately 5000 devices
used on approximately 120,000 patients per year where removed from over 800 US
medical centers. In October 2005 CDC reported in the MMWR the Vapotherm 2000i
as a possible associated risk factor.
CDC also recommended as part of their report that users follow
manufacturer's instructions for use and cleaning. We routinely cleaned our Vapotherm devices
per instructions and we did not have cases of contamination. Nevertheless, our hospital and patients felt
the impact of the recall in that all Vapotherm devices were returned to the
manufacturer. We report here on that
impact.
Method: An internal audit was conducted measuring patient admission
days, ventilator days, nCPAP days, and VAP cases. The time period was approximately five months
prior to the recall (Dec-May 05) and the same five months (Dec - May 06) post
recall.
Results: The number of
ventilator days and nCPAP days increased.
We had one case of VAP during the recall period measured. See in Table 1.
Table
1
| Admission | Vent Days | nCPAP Days | VAP | Vapotherm Days | |
| Vapotherm | 116 | 80 | 4 | 0 | 360 |
| Recall | 132 | 155 | 112 | 1 | 0 |
Discussion: In our hospital we recognized no increase
infection rates during Vapotherm use. We
understand that mechanical ventilation and nCPAP present certain iatrogenic
risk to the patient and we aim to wean from these devices seeking less invasive
treatment. The recall of the Vapotherm
clearly lead to an increase in ventilator and nCPAP days. Among the recall patients we had one case of
VAP whereas during the five month period prior to the Vapotherm recall we
report 0 cases of VAP.
Conclusion: We are able to measure an increase use in both
mechanical ventilation and nCPAP that would appear directly related to the
recall of the Vapotherm 2000i device.