EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Welch Allyn CSM VSM reliability/BP failures

Are any of my EBME colleagues experiencing issues with frequent BP failures on these devices? It appears that poor design, build quality, frequent failures in use and leakage failures found during PPM testing are the main reported issues.

It may be the OEM has acknowledged these issues are widespread as some colleagues in the UK are reporting that Baxter are offering exchange BP modules Free Of Charge. Has this offer been made to you?

Some answers from BMET

https://www.reddit.com/r/BMET/comments/1bepajg/welch_allyn_csm_vsm_reliabilitybp_failures/


https://www.reddit.com/r/BMET/comments/167c6h2/newer_welch_allyn_connex_monitors_failing/


https://www.reddit.com/r/BMET/comments/17fj98r/welch_allyn_connex_vsm_question/

No frequent failures of NIBP here. Our units are old, purchased over 300 of them between 2015 and 2017 and some more after. Of the ones on this site (just under 50) I can only remember replacing one NIBP module since we've had them and that was under warranty. Internally no major issues from routine failure. The main problem we have with them is the rear case cracks along the top and under the flap covering the USB ports. These probably get replaced ever couple of years. The other issue is staff moving them around by the monitor handle and not the one of the trolley. We start to see cracks at the side of the handle. Some touch screens have gone. Checking the other sites out of just over 300 units since we have had them and out of warranty we have replaced 15 NIBP modules over the past 2 to 3 years

I gave you a "like" there Adrian as I appreciated your succinct report. Having reviewed possibly thousands of posts on here over the years, I must say that it makes a nice change to "get it all in one go", as it were.

My only comment (well, there had to be something) is which Model No. of Welch Allyn "Connex" monitor (presumably) are you referring to? From the dates you mention I am guessing 6000 series. As we all know there have been a fair number of different versions of this monitor. We are up to the 7000 series (7500 etc.) now, I believe; and this "matters" due to the various configurations (especially SpO2) available.

Thank you Geoff. Yes, the ones I am referring to are the 6000 series, to be specific the majority are the 6800 and we have a few 6700.

Of the CSM we have various configurations 74C_ and 75C_ but no issues with them.

Hi Alf. The only known failures i have dealt with is the staff submerging BP cuffs to wash them and then connecting them to the BP hose. The tiniest amount of water within the cuff has been known to cause failures of the modules.