U.S. FDA warns of tracheostomy tube shortage (updated)

ICU Medical

31/10/2022 20:01

(Adds details on ICU Medical's Bivona tubes)
       Oct 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) said on Monday there was a shortage of tracheostomy tubes,
a surgical device that helps patients to breathe, including
those manufactured by ICU Medical  ICUI.O .
    The agency said the shortage was due to difficulties in raw
material procurement and would most likely impact pediatric
patients. 
    They will be affected by the limited supply of tubes with
similar functionality as ICU Medical's Bivona, that are made
from flexible silicone and easier to use in children.
    The health regulator has recommended reusing tracheostomy
tubes after following proper sanitary procedures in order to
deal with the current shortage. 
 (Reporting by Khushi Mandowara; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
 ((Khushi.Mandowara@thomsonreuters.com;))