# Major Recall Alert: PowerPICC Catheters Recalled Due to Material Fatigue Leaks
BD, a global medical technology company, has issued a major recall affecting multiple PowerPICC Catheter products due to increased material fatigue leaks in specific geographies. This issue has been linked to three lots of resin used in the catheter's tubing that exceeded the supplier’s specification for a critical property called Melt Flow Index (MFI). While all impacted catheters still met BD’s specifications for dimensions and mechanical properties, the company is proactively removing these products from distribution to ensure patient safety.
If you’re a healthcare provider or consumer using PowerPICC Catheters, here’s everything you need to know about this recall, its importance, and next steps.
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## Why This Recall is Important
BD’s recall concerns their **4 Fr. single lumen PowerPICC Catheters**, an essential tool for administering medication, fluids, and other treatments directly into a patient's vein. These catheters are widely used in healthcare settings and must be as reliable and durable as possible to avoid complications.
The problem? Comprehensive investigations revealed that higher-than-specified MFI caused increased material fatigue, resulting in leaks. While other contributing factors, such as catheter securement systems and dressing techniques, compounded the problem, BD has taken decisive action to pull all affected products from the market. Ensuring patient safety during intravenous treatment is critical, and any fault in a device like this could put patients at risk of infection or complications related to catheter failure.
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## Details of the Recall
### Impacted Products:
The recall applies to the following **PowerPICC Catheter models**:
- PowerPICC Catheter Standard Guidewire Basic Kit
- PowerPICC Catheter Standard Guidewire IR Basic Kit
- PowerPICC Catheter, Full Tray (With Sherlock 3cg Tps Stylet)
- PowerPICC Solo Catheter, Sl, Nitinol Guidewire
- PowerPICC Solo2 Catheter, Full Tray (With Sherlock 3cg Tps Stylet)
### Cause of the Recall:
- **Material Issue**: Resin used in three lots exceeded MFI specifications, leading to material fatigue.
- **Contributing Factors**: Securement system type and catheter insertion/dressing methods also impacted the catheter’s performance.
### Recall Start Date:
- **March 11, 2025**
For the official recall notice, visit [the Government of Canada website](https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/4-fr-single-lumen-powerpicc-catheters).
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## What You Should Do
If you or your healthcare facility uses the impacted PowerPICC Catheters, BD suggests taking the following steps immediately:
1. **Healthcare Providers**:
- Discontinue using the recalled catheters.
- Check lot numbers against inventory to identify affected products.
- Contact BD to arrange for the return and replacement of recalled items.
2. **Patients**:
- If you believe you’ve been treated with the affected device, consult your healthcare provider for advice.
- Monitor for any symptoms of catheter failure, such as irritation, leakage, or infection at the insertion site.
3. **Report Issues**:
- Any adverse effects or side effects related to the recalled devices should be reported to Health Canada or your local regulatory authority.
By taking swift action, risks associated with the recalled products can be minimized.
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## Stay Safe – Get Instant Recall Alerts
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Stay informed. Stay safe. [Click here to download the Recall App](#).
For more official recall information, visit the [Canadian Recall Notice](https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/4-fr-single-lumen-powerpicc-catheters).