Medical Device Safety

Summary

A medical device is any product used to diagnose, cure, or treat a condition, or to prevent disease. They range from small and simple, like a blood glucose meter, to large and complicated, like a ventilator. You might use one at home or at work, or you may need one in a hospital.

To use medical devices safely:

• Know how your device works. Keep instructions close by
• Understand and properly respond to device alarms
• Have a back-up plan and supplies in the event of an emergency
• Keep emergency numbers available and update them as needed
• Educate your family and caregivers about your device

Food and Drug Administration

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Equipment and Supplies National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration

Specifics

• Full-Body CT Scans: What You Need to Know Food and Drug Administration
• Needles and Other Sharps (Safe Disposal Outside of Health Care Settings) Food and Drug Administration

Patient Handouts

• Handling sharps and needles Medical Encyclopedia
• Home Healthcare Medical Devices: A Checklist Food and Drug Administration

Start Here

• Medical Device Safety Food and Drug Administration

Related Issues

• Medical Device Safety Communications Food and Drug Administration
• MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program Food and Drug Administration

Journal Articles

• Medical Device Safety