AMA praises Qld Health over faulty catheter handling
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Townsville doctors are trying to locate around 200 children who also had the procedure. (AFP)
The Australian Medical Association says Queensland Health has taken appropriate steps in dealing with a dangerous fault with a medical device frequently used on children.
Queensland Health has suspended the use of a type of catheter after broken wire fragments were found in the veins of eight children.
Townsville doctors discovered the problem and are now trying to locate around 200 children who also had the procedure.
AMA state president Dr Chris Davis says the incident is concerning.
"Obviously there has been a situation here that has led Queensland Health to do the right thing and withdraw the product and look fully into the useage of the product, and what further steps might be needed to protect patient safety," he said.
Dr Davis says there are known risks with similar types of medical devices.
"We certainly will be monitoring the process very closely to make sure that the health quality and complaints and whatever other agencies are involved at looking at this device have fully assessed the product," he said.
"[We will also be looking at] what were the issues that lead to the allegations that have been made about the product having some safety issues."
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is investigating how widespread the problem could be.
Earlier, Premier Anna Bligh said doctors had acted immediately.
"It means that we've been able to act quickly. Queensland has notified the National Therapeutic Goods Association and we're in a position now to investigate this on a national basis," she said.
She said the fault has not caused any serious health complications, but Queensland families who could be affected have been contacted by the Health Department.
