Safety Concerns with Philips Medical Alert Pendants (November 2009)

Emergency response help buttons are often worn by seniors to call for help in an emergency. The Philips Lifeline emergency button that is worn around the neck, may pose a choking hazard if the cord becomes accidentally entangled, and this can result in serious injury or death. FDA is aware of three deaths in the U.S. that occurred because of entanglement.

Lifeline pendants are not designed to break away, in order to prevent the button from accidentally falling off the person's body. Entanglement may be most likely in people who use equipment with protruding parts such as wheelchairs, walkers and beds with guard rails.

In a letter sent to all of its Lifeline customers, Philips notes that help-button devices that are worn as wristbands or watches can be used as an alternative to pendant-style buttons. The company says that these styles of help buttons pose less of an entanglement hazard, but they cannot be operated if the person's arm that is not wearing the wristband becomes immobilized-due to a stroke, for example, or the arm becomes trapped under a heavy object.

Since both styles have advantages and drawbacks, FDA and the company are recommending that users consult with their healthcare providers to determine which is most appropriate for them.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Philips Medical Alert Pendants
• FDA
• Choking Hazard
• Entanglement
• Patient Safety