EO plant shutdown leads to pediatric breathing tube shortage

Smiths Medical Bivona tracheostomy tubes are in short supply, according to the FDA. (Image from Smiths Medical)

The February shutdown of an ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization plant has produced the first temporary medical device shortage, according to the FDA.

The device in short supply is the Bivona tracheostomy tube manufactured by Smiths Medical and used by many pediatric patients. The FDA anticipates the tube will be made available again the week of April 22, according to a statement from Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director of the agency’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). The state of Illinois ordered the shutdown of the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook, Ill. due to emissions of EO, a highly carcinogenic chemical compound.

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from MassDevice http://bit.ly/2UzbkYX