On December 23, 2009, Exelint International Co. announced a Class I recall for Exel Huber Needles, EXELint Huber Needles, Exel Huber Infusion Sets, EXELint Huber Infusion Sets, Exel “Securetouch+” Huber Safety Sets, and EXELint Huber Safety Sets. Huber needles are used to access ports implanted under the skin in chronically ill patients.
The recalled needles have been found to be “cored” in many cases, causing the ports to leak and potentially enter a patient’s body when the port is initially accessed and flushed. The defect can cause decreased effectiveness of the port, a need for port replacement, infection damage to tissue, swelling, or other serious health complications if the core travels through blood vessels into a patient’s lungs. Death may result in some cases.
The company instructs consumers to stop using all recalled needles and infusion sets and return the products to Exel. Patients should contact a doctor immediately to verify that the port has not already been damaged from use of the defective needles. The company may be contacted at 1-800-940-3935.
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