HeartSine Technologies, Ltd. Issues Global Correction Of Samaritan® 300/300P PAD

On September 13, 2012, HeartSine Technologies, Ltd. initiated a voluntary global correction of certain Samaritan® 300/300P PAD public access defibrillators to address two separate issues that may affect the ability to deliver therapy to a patient in a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) event, if needed. Certain Samaritan® 300/300P PAD devices manufactured before December 2010 have been found to intermittently turn on and off, which may eventually deplete the battery. In addition and separately, certain Samaritan 300/300P PAD devices containing early versions of the battery management software may misinterpret a temporary drop in battery voltage as signaling a low battery and subsequently turn the device off. In certain instances, a device experiencing either condition could be unable to deliver therapy during a cardiac event.

The potentially affected Samaritan 300/300P PADs were manufactured from August 2004 to December 2010 and have a warranted life of 7 years. Samaritan® 300/300P PAD devices with the following serial numbers inclusive are affected by one or both these issues:

0400000501 to 0700032917
08A00035000 to 10A00070753
10C00200000 to 10C00210106

Because a device experiencing the on/off issue will function appropriately if it has an adequate power source, HeartSine is sending affected customers a new PAD-PAK to be held in reserve and an accompanying hang tag with instructions for when and how to insert the reserve PAD-PAK so that the customer always has the ability to deliver therapy in a rescue attempt. In addition, HeartSine is providing a software upgrade (with a CD, data cable and associated User Manual) to bring all users up to a more recent version of the software that the company’s data shows is no longer susceptible to the secondary issue.

HeartSine has requested that customers take the following actions to ensure that they are able to provide therapy in the event that a sudden cardiac arrest event occurs:

Keep the device(s) in service.
If necessary, relocate the Samaritan® 300/300P PAD to an area where the audible prompts would be heard if initiated.
Immediately increase device check frequency to daily to confirm that the Samaritan 300/300P PAD is operable and in ready standby mode.
If the device is not in ready standby mode, contact HeartSine Technologies at 1-877-877-0147 immediately so that a replacement unit can be sent.
Always have a reserve PAD-PAK on hand. Place the supplied reserve PAD-PAK in the zippered pouch on the back of the Samaritan 300/300P PAD soft carrying case and attach the provided hang-tag to the handle of the Samaritan 300/300P PAD soft carrying case to alert a first responder when and how to insert the reserve PAD-PAK if the installed PAD-PAK appears to have been depleted and the device is needed in a rescue attempt. Instructions for replacing the PAD-PAK are provided on the hang-tag.
Update the device software using the supplied data cable and CD (or via the company’s website at https://www.heartsine.com/recall/software_updates ). Replace the originally supplied User Manual, stored in the soft carry case, with the new copy supplied with this field action.
If the device is needed in a sudden cardiac arrest event and the LED is red or unlit, replace the PAD-PAK with the reserve PAD-PAK according to the instructions on the hang tag. Once the reserve PAD-PAK has been inserted, therapy can be delivered. Following the event, HeartSine Technologies should be contacted immediately at 1-877-877-0147.

The firm voluntarily issued a correction for this product after becoming aware of the above issue. FDA is aware of the action and the steps the company is taking. No deaths or injuries have been reported to date associated with the on/off issue. To date, HeartSine has received five reports of death for which the company has not been able to rule out the possibility that the events may have been related to the battery management software issue.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-877-0147 between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00 pm ET and email at heartsine6265@stericycle.com.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to FDA: