The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-0231-2018·Announced 2017-12-20

Radiometer ABL800 Analyzer Recalled for Barcode Misinterpretation

Radiometer America Inc. is recalling 1,749 ABL800 analyzers because a barcode scanner error may display results from a different patient.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (medical device) where a software/hardware defect could lead to incorrect patient data, but no specific injuries or illnesses have been reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Radiometer America Inc. is recalling 1,749 ABL800 analyzers with the FLEXQ module. These devices are intended for in vitro testing of whole blood, expired air, and pleura samples to measure various parameters including pH, electrolytes, and co-oximetry values.

The recall is due to a defect where the analyzer's scanner may misinterpret the barcode on a registration receipt. When this occurs, the analyzer may print or display a result belonging to a different patient rather than the current sample. This error could lead to incorrect clinical decisions based on mismatched data.

The affected units were distributed nationwide in the United States and internationally to Canada. Users of these devices should contact Radiometer America Inc. for instructions on how to resolve the issue.

The recalled product

Product
ABL800 analyzer with FLEXQ module. Device intended for in vitro testing of samples of whole blood for the parameters pCO2, cK+, cNa+, cCa2+, cCl , cGlu, cLac, cCrea, ctBil, and co-oximetry parameters (ctHb, sO2, and the hemoglobin fractions FO2Hb, FCOHb, FMetHb, FHHb and FHbF)
Affected units
1,749

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (1)

  • All serial numbers

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 48 states specifically: