Saline syringe recall may cause need for alternative supply

Cardinal Health recently recalled about 267 million prefilled saline syringes due to the potential for the plunger to reintroduce air back into the syringe and cause serious adverse outcomes. The recall applies to all Monoject Flush Prefilled Saline Syringes manufactured from July 2019 to June 2021 and distributed between July 2019 and July 2021. Health care organizations should immediately review their inventory and quarantine and return all affected product, the company said. No injuries had been reported as of Aug. 19. Cardinal Health will continue to update information on the recall. “Given the limited number of alternative prefilled saline syringe options, combined with ongoing supply, transportation and labor challenges, we anticipate that this recall may contribute to a market disruption of prefilled saline syringes,” Cardinal Health said. “We are actively working to address the disruption and support customers’ needs with locating alternative supply and we suggest that clinicians work with their facility to determine alternative fill methods.” Hospitals and health systems affected by the recall are encouraged to contact the American Hospital Association.