FDA warns of fire, explosion, toxic exposure risk with Battery Operated Lavage System (BOLS)
Today the FDA issued a safety alert to notify healthcare professionals about the potential for sparks, fires, toxic fumes, and explosions when disposable battery operated lavage systems’ (BOLS) cables are cut. BOLS are used in the OR, ER, burn units, and nursing units. The cutting of the battery pack's cable can lead to a short circuit, causing the batteries to discharge rapidly, producing intense heat and flammable gases with a resulting explosion that expels flammable gases and toxic chemicals endangering both patients and staff.
Read the complete MedWatch 2008 Safety summary, including a link to the Medical Device Safety alert at FDA.gov.
