System 1000 family of Hemodialysis Instruments, including the System 1000, Arena, 1550, BM11, BM25 and Meridian; Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL 60015 U.S.A.

Air bubbles have been observed in the tubing sets past the air detector of the instrument with no alarms. Air bubbles in the circuit can cause an air embolism.

An Urgent Device Correction letter dated 12/14/04 was sent along with a reply form and addenda to operator''s manuals to all Baxter customers who have purchased hemodialysis hardware. The letter informed the accounts of reports of air bubbles observed in the tubing sets past the air detector without an alarm alerting the operator of potential air in the tubing. A review of the reports revealed misuse, including failure to follow generally observed hemodialysis practices. Baxter updated their Hemodialysis Operator''s Manuals and Training Guides to clarify instructions and add caution and warning statements to address the possibility of introducing air in the extracorporeal circuit and to clarify methods for clearing air from the circuit. The accounts were requested to review the attached addendum that applies to the instruments used in their facility against the pertinent sections of their Operator''s Manual. If their Operator''s Manual does not match the addendum, they were instructed to order a new manual using the enclosed response form. Any questions were directed to Baxter''s Global Technical Services at 1-800-553-6898.