We are trying to standardise our procedures for our offices in each country when they return used medical devices to us (as the manufacturer) for complaint investigation.

In the USA we have decided to base our procedure on § 173.199(d) - as outlined in http://hazmat.dot.gov/training/rmgmt/InfectSubstances.pdf. This seems to avoid shipping as dangerous goods.

Does anyone else have any experience in setting a global procedure? Am I heading in the right direction with the document quoted above?

Thanks for your feedback.

Regards

Sounds like you are on the right track Adele

The #1 thing I would do is call the manufacturer and ask for their recommendations or procedures, they might have a certain way to detect incoming used medical product in their receiving and it would be helpful to them if you know that. RMA, for instance.

Adele, you may want to look at this. It references "International Air Transport Association" regulations.

Sounds like you are on the right track Adele

The #1 thing I would do is call the manufacturer and ask for their recommendations or procedures, they might have a certain way to detect incoming used medical product in their receiving and it would be helpful to them if you know that. RMA, for instance.According to her post, Adele is the manufacturer.

According to her post, Adele is the manufacturer.

So you never talk to yourself? :D

So you never talk to yourself? :DAll the time. In fact, I'm the only one who answers me.

Ack!

I apologize for missing that detail.

You can create all the right procedures, but you still have to deal with the folks at the sending end...

Several years back I was working for a medical devices company that made a blood flow probe used during surgery. We got a return on the probe and it came right from the surgical suite, complete with used needles, and a half a bottle of Heprin. The Receiver opened the box and freaked!

We required anyone who routinely handled returns or even demo equipment, to have the Hepitits shots.

Thanks Al - this document does seem to be more lab specimens-oriented though. I also checked out the IATA website and e-mailed them a questions using the e-mail address link they have (dangoods@iata.org) but it bounced back to me.

I agree with you RosieA - how our offices receive the products from customers is out of our control. However, we can educate our staff about the correct way to transport a used healthcare product so they can communicate this to our customers should the need arise.