Smith & Nephew announced today that they are voluntarily recalling the I.V. Prep wipes. From this article:
Smith & Nephew has halted all shipments of IV PREP Antiseptic Wipes manufactured for Smith & Nephew by The Triad Group. All customers and patients are advised to discontinue use of IV PREP Antiseptic Wipes immediately, as their use could result in localized or systemic infection. All customers should dispose of or return IV PREP Antiseptic Wipes to Smith & Nephew.
The affected lot numbers (you can find the lot number imprinted at the bottom of the wipe package) are 9K141, 9K142, 9K143; 0F131; 0F140; 0G249; 0G255, 0G256; 0G259; 0K139, 0K140, 0K141; 0K193; 0M180; 0M216; 1A212, 1A213.
I use these, and it turns out that my new box I got a couple of weeks ago is among the recalled lot numbers. :(
Thanks Kim - Ugh. We just got a box a week ago. Have to remember to check it out tonight.
And WHAT may I ask are we supposed to use until then?
And really, are we supposed to feel better that any alchohol wipe you can find now is made in China?
Sorry, these last 2 questions are not directed at anyone - just venting.
and @ Ideen - have you followed the Triad Group recall? They ended up having to recall lubricating jelly too and several very serious infections have resulted in causing the death of a 2 yr old boy and an adult man. So sad and so frustrating!
I've been using cotton balls with bottled alcohol at home since all this wacky recall stuff has been going on, to make my older box of alcohol wipes stretch further. I'll wait this stuff out before I get a new package.
Thanks for the heads up, Kim. I checked and mine are on the list as well. The number was printed inside the box in the top flap and on each wipe. I had some old wipes from my last batch (which I ordered a long time ago) stuck in that box and they were on the list, too.
I checked the Minimed website, because that's where I order mine from and they just have a message saying that they are in contact with Smith & Nephew and will update progress when it happens. I have a bill sitting here next to me for the last box I ordered.....not gonna pay it!!!
[quote user="Julia"]The number was printed inside the box in the top flap [/quote]
Oh noooo! I was looking at the number on bottom. I just looked under the flap and the number IS on the recall list. I've used over half the box already and one today. :( The new box that was shipped with our monthly supplies is on the recall list, too.
I checked the Minimed website, because that's where I order mine from and they just have a message saying that they are in contact with Smith & Nephew and will update progress when it happens. I have a bill sitting here next to me for the last box I ordered.....not gonna pay it!!!
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I would call and make sure that they take that off your account bill. There is no guarantee that it would happen automatically and you don't want a future order screwed up because of that!
Both the alcohol wipes and IV Prep wipe recalls really make me wonder about the site infections John had and the infection he got on his finger last summer. I have ALWAYS wiped with the IV Prep for his sites and after the 2nd site infection started using an alcohol wipe prior to it. Fortunately, he has really not had any infections since then with sites.
But his finger infection over the summer was ICKY! I still couldn't believe it was from a finger poke, because it was on the 'wrong' side of his finger. But now it makes me wonder! It is never good when the doctor is saying, "I don't like how this looks!" and "If this doesn't look better by tomorrow, he is going to be admitted and put on IV antibiotics!" Did we have contaminated wipes? The ones from both cases would be from boxes that are all gone now, so I guess I would never know.