DSHS Issues Heparin Warning

Keywords: Patient_Safety  Pharmaceuticals  Public_Health  

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) officials say vials of recalled heparin were found during a routine health facility inspection in Texas, even though several manufacturers and distributors of heparin products recalled them. The recalls were made because of adverse events associated with the heparin or as a precaution after testing revealed contaminated lots of heparin.

DSHS urges physicians to check inventory, storage areas, carts, and procedure rooms for all heparin products or products that contain or are coated with heparin and verify that the product is not on the recall list.

Segregate any recalled product, and contact Susan Penfield, MD, at DSHS at (512) 458-7676. If you're calling after 5 pm, call (512) 458-7111 and ask for the physician on call.

The agency also asks that any adverse patient reaction that may be associated with injectable heparin and heparin lock flush solutions, or with medical devices that contain or are coated with heparin, be reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and to Dr. Penfield at the telephone numbers above.


Action, May 6, 2008

Last Published: 5/5/2008

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