FDA: Power Cords Linked to Sparking, Charring and Fires

On October 19, The FDA announced that they are investigating defective medical device power cords. So far, the FDA has received 122 reports of defective power cords from Hospira, Inc. and Abbott Nutrition. These two companies have reported sparking, charring and fires from the cords in question. The root of the problem appears to be the power cord's prongs cracking or failing at/or inside the plug (see the FDA-released image above). The risks associated with power cord failure include electrical shock, delay in setup and therapy, interruption of therapy, device failure and fires. The FDA also notes that, depending on the device and therapy, these failures might lead to serious health consequences, including death.

All 122 of the reports from Hospira and Abbott involved AC power cords manufactured by the Electri-cord Manufacturing Company. The FDA knows Electri-cord has supplied cords to other medical device manufacturers and the agency is currently trying to determine which additional devices are equipped with these cords. While the FDA's investigation continues, the agency is recommending that all users of medical devices closely monitor the wear and tear on these devices' power cords. It's especially important to pay close attention to to any devices used in oxygen-rich settings in which sparking and arcing could trigger a fire.

To view the cord in question and learn more about actions that should be taken in the event of cord failure, click here. The FDA will continue to provide updated information as soon as it is available.