Central Alerting System
View Alert


Originator: NHS Improvement

From: James Nicholls

Issue date: 11-Feb-2019 15:00:02

This alert has been issued to:
  • Care Trusts
  • Mental Health Trusts
  • Specialists Trusts
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Mental Health & Social Care Trusts
  • Ambulance Trusts
  • Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Acute Trusts
  • Community Trusts

  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • Special Health Authorities

Action category: Immediate Action

Title: Wrong selection of orthopaedic fracture fixation plates

Broadcast content:

This alert has been issued to reduce the risk of wrong selection of dynamic compression plates and reconstruction plates used for fixation of fractures.

To reduce the risk of mis-selection, providers are asked to ensure that reconstruction plates are purchased as individually sterilised packs, stored separately and only fetched and taken out of sterile packaging when specifically required. Providers are also asked to identify all patients who had a plate fitted since 1 February 2018 for the treatment of shaft fractures and undertake a retrospective review of patient X-rays to ensure the correct plate was used.



Additional information: NHS regional teams - although there are no actions for GPs, can you please cascade to general practices for information only using the following covering note:

"There are no required actions in this alert for general practice, however, we are forwarding it to you for information only in case you are contacted by any concerned patients."


Alert reference: NHS/PSA/D/2019/001

Action underway deadline: 13-Feb-2019

Action complete deadline: 10-May-2019

Attachments:

Contact our helpdesk

Email: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency