Baxter Colleague Triple Channel Volumetric Infusion Pumps; Baxter Healthcare Corporation, I.V. Systems Division, product codes 2M8153, 2M8153R, 2M8163, 2M8163R

Swelling of the sealed lead-acid batteries in the infusion pump can cause internal pump damage, and excessive battery discharge can damage the batteries if the pump is left on battery power for an extended period of time after teh Battery Depleted alarm occurs.

Baxter sent letters dated 02/25/05 to all Colleague infusion pump customers to provide them with important supplemental information to the letter dated 1/21/03 (Z-929-1), regarding sealed lead-acid batteries used in the Colleague family of infusion pumps, dealing with swollen batteries and excessive deep discharge. The 2/25/05 letter reiterated the battery service life, replacement and pump storage conditions which were listed in the 1/21/03 letter, and informed the users that current production pumps have an overcurrent protection circuit in the battery harness to help protect the batteries from overcurrent damage and swelling during charging, and advised them of the availability of the battery harness. The letters also provided information to prevent excessive discharge, and advised them that software updates will become available later in 2005. An Operator's Manual Addendum was also included with the 2/25/05 letter, replacing chapter 7 of the manual dealing with Maintenance and Service. Any questions were directed to Baxter's Medication Delivery Services at 1-800-843-7867.