A Class I recall has been issued for the SynchroMed II Implantable Infusion Pump, models 8637-20 and 8637-40, distributed between May 2004 and July 8, 2011 manufactured by Medtronics Inc. The SynchroMed II Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of the drugs or fluids. This infusion pump is indicated to deliver morphine sulfate, ziconotide and baclofen for the treatment of chronic pain, severe chronic pain and severe spasticity, respectively. It is also indicated for delivery of floxuridine and methotrexate for the treatment of primary or metastatic cancer.
There is a potential for reduced battery performance in the SynchroMed II infusion Pump. Medtronic’s analysis of the problem indicates it is related to the formation of a film within the pump battery. This problem can lead to the sudden loss of therapy and the return of underlying symptoms and/or therapy withdrawal symptoms. For example, patients receiving intrathecal baclofen therapy for severe spasticity are at risk for baclofen withdrawal syndrome, which can lead to a life-threatening condition if not treated quickly and effectively.
Medtronic encourages patients to carry their patient identification cards with them at all times and to contact their physicians immediately if they experience a return of symptoms or hear a device alarm.
Medtronic has a Device Identification web page
where customers can enter the serial number for any SynchroMed II infusion pump to determine if their pump is being recalled. Medtronic is not retrieving any implanted SynchroMed II pumps from the field. Medtronic does not recommend prophylactic replacement of SynchroMed II pumps because of the estimated low occurrence rates, the presence of pump alarms, and the risks associated with replacement surgery.
Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
For more information on this recall, click here.
Infusion Nurse Blog 
As a medical device safety issue which infusion nurses must deal with every day, finally there is a feature film that dramatizes the medical, social and legal issues surrounding this subject (link here for more information and video clip):
Movie Puncture Exposes Hep B&C, Hiv Dangers In Needlestick Injuries For
Nurses, Healthcare Workers http://bitly.com/PunctureMovie
Puncture opens Sept. 23 in New York (Empire 25, Sunshine), Los Angeles (The Landmark) and Houston (River Oaks); Oct. 7 in additional cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C.; and will be everywhere this fall.
*A limited number of theater passes or DVD screening copies are available for organizations, media, bloggers and/or healthcare professionals.
* Interviews with Puncture filmmakers and cast are available.
* Millennium Entertainment, LLC, the film’s distributor, is seeking attributed quotes for the DVD package that will be released in early 2012.