Arjo, Inc. Nautica (GK) Mattress Stretcher, manufactured by Georg Kramer GES.M.B.H. & CO. KG A-4061 PASCH ING, Neuhauserweg 14 Austria. These mattress stretchers were sold for installation on or as a component of the following patient bath lifts: a) Manufactured by BHM Medical Inc., Magog, QC, Canada J1X 5Y5: Part number 88004051, Nautica Bath Lift System; b) Distributed by Whitehall Manufacturing, P.O. Box 3527, City of Industry, CA 91744, Manufactured by BHM Medical Inc., Canada: Part number 88004051.12 Recall

Check Your Product

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reason for Recall

As stated by FDA

Repeated use of the ratchets that lock the position of the back and leg rest of the stretcher may damage the retention pin that prevents the latch from disengaging from the anchor system. This would allow the backrest to pivot freely down to the floor.

Recommended Action

Per FDA guidance

BHM Medical initially notified the end users on 1/23/07 of the potential for the back and leg rest latch ratchets to become damaged, allowing the rests to pivot freely. Should a patient be in the stretcher at the time, the patient could fall, potentially sustaining cuts, bruises or even more severe injuries. The letters provided safety instructions to follow until a permanent fix is available, and requested the accounts to complete and return the enclosed response form acknowledging receipt of the letter and dissemination of the safety instructions to all employees operating the lifts with the affected GK stretchers. BHM sent Customer Field Correction Notification letters dated 1/23/08 to the accounts, along with the Technical Advisory Notice - TAN A dated 1/3/08, reiterating the safety instructions from the 1/23/07 letter and requesting the accounts to, if at all possible, remove the equipment from service until an authorized engineer can replace the ratchets in the backrest and leg rest latches. All consignees have been contacted.