The Recall Desk
ModerateFDA (Devices)·Z-2162-2012·Announced 2012-08-15

Radiometer ABL800 Software Recall for HL7 Data Transmission Errors

Radiometer America is recalling ABL800 software version 6.12 because HL7 2.5 configuration errors may cause queued blood test results to be mixed up when transmitted to hospital systems.

What this means for you

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II. The hazard involves data integrity errors (mixed-up results) rather than direct physical injury or death, fitting the criteria for moderate severity involving significant but non-immediate physical harm risks.

Plain-English summary

Radiometer America Inc is recalling ABL software version 6.12 for the ABL800 analyzer. The recall involves 11,929 ABL 8xx units distributed worldwide, including across the United States and numerous international countries. The analyzers are intended for in vitro testing of whole blood, expired air, and pleura samples for various parameters such as pH, pO2, pCO2, and electrolytes.

The recall was initiated after a customer reported an error on an ABL8xx instrument configured to a Hospital Information System (HIS) using the HL7 version 2.5 data transfer protocol. If the connection between the instrument and the HIS is broken, results are queued for later transmission. When the ABL and HIS are configured with HL7 2.5, any results in the queue may be mixed up when the instrument transmits them.

Healthcare facilities using the affected software should contact Radiometer America Inc for instructions on correcting the configuration or updating the software to prevent data transmission errors.

The recalled product

Product
The ABL software version 6.12 for the ABL800 analyzer. The analyzers are intended for the in Vitro testing of: -Samples of whole blood for the parameters pH, pO2, pCO2, cK+, cNa+, cCa2+, cCl, cGlu, cLac, cCrea, ctBil, and co-oximetry parameters (ctHb, sO2, and the hemoglobin f

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 50 states specifically:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 3 recalled by Radiometer America Inc under a single FDA (Devices) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 3 products in this recall →