Safety Alerts & Notices

Mobile hoists affected - Arjo Minstrel standard type HMA001 and EPC type HMA0011 manufactured by Medibo Medical NV. Models supplied after December 2005 with a serial number as shown in the list in the appendix. The serial number is located on the hoist identification label on the lower section of the mast. Arjo Minstrel hoists fitted with Arjo weigh scales are not affected as they use a different attachment method. Problem - Inaccurate maintenance instructions and poor inspection of hanger bar attachment. Attachments have failed in use leading to a fall and injury to the person being moved.

Read more: Medical Device Alert: Mobile hoists - Arjo Minstrel standard type and EPC type manufactured by Medibo Medical NV (MDA/2010/029)

Risk of electric shock when the hoist is connected to the mains supply with a single insulated power cable for battery charging. An incident occurred where the single insulated cable was damaged during use and the hoist structure subsequently became ‘live’ when the hoist was connected to the mains supply for battery recharging. The manufacturer is contacting local distributors in the UK, but has so far not been able to reach end users. The manufacturer has determined that hoists manufactured from May 2004 to March 2006 inclusive may have been fitted incorrectly with a single insulated power cable. Unfortunately, no serial numbers are available to assist identification of the various models.

Read more: Medical Device Alert: Hoists and standing aids manufactured by BHM Medical Inc (MDA/2010/022)

The MHRA has received a small number of reports involving the detachment of spreader bars on Oxford hoists during use due to the hoists not being maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

No serious injury has yet been reported but there is clearly the potential for this to occur. The instructions for use (IFU) supplied by Joerns Healthcare state that the hoist must be maintained by an authorised service dealer on a six-monthly basis. Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) includes checks for wear on the spreader bar mounting and other moving parts.

Joerns Healthcare issued a Field Safety Notice (FSN) in November 2009 to remind all users and service providers of their responsibilities when using and maintaining any of their products. This FSN includes checks on the spreader bar to be carried out during PPM in addition to any inspections carried out under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). However, the manufacturer cannot be sure that all relevant people received their FSN, so the MHRA has issued this alert.

Introduction: The purpose of this Safety Notice is to alert health and social care providers to potential risks to service users whom are likely to self-hoist and transfer without the assistance of a carer(s). It will be of particular relevance to Social Services Departments, Occupational Therapy Departments, and Health Care Providers involved in the provision of and/or maintenance of community care equipment. The information will aid those organisations undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments as part of their purchasing, issuing, commissioning, risk assessment, and service user review processes.

Background: An incident involving the death of a service user has highlighted possible risks to individuals known to self-hoist by means of a ceiling track hoist, without the assistance of a carer. The ceiling track hoist failed whilst the service user was transferring in the equipment. In addition, the emergency lowering device also failed and the individual had no means to summon assistance. In this particular incident the service user lived alone and had been provided with a make and model of ceiling track hoist intended for use when a carer was present, thereby enabling someone to summon assistance in the event of an emergency. The service user using the hoist did not have a carer or care provision to assist them with transfers in the hoist. The issues raised by this notice should also be considered where a service user is living in other accommodation types including warden-assisted and/or supported living environments, and other residential health and social care settings (such as in care homes or residential nursing homes). The issues are of particular relevance where care staff and/or support workers are not in attendance when service users are using hoists independently, or where it is likely a service user may try to self hoist when a carer is not present.

Read more: Risks to Service users known to self-hoist and transfer using ceiling track hoists