Spencer IN, dated 08/25/2005 - 09/12/2005

 Note:Although this FDA-483 is an accurate representation of the original FDA-483 issued to the firm, it is not an exact copy. Slight modifications to the original FDA-483 have been made to accommodate its conversion to the HTML format. A scanned copy of the original letter is available in PDF at the bottom of this page.

 DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER
300 River Place, Suite 5900
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 393-8100 Fax:(313) 393-8139
 DATE(S) OF INSPECTION
08/25/2005 - 09/12/2005*
 FEI NUMBER
1828132
 NAME AND TITLE OF INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM REPORT IS ISSUED
TO: Mr. George Telthorst, General Manager
 FIRM NAME
Boston Scientific Corp
 STREET ADDRESS
780 Brookside Dr
 CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE
Spencer, IN 47460-1080
 TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTED
Medical Device Manufacturer

 This document lists observations made by the FDA representative(s) during the inspection of your facility. They are inspectional observations, and do not represent a final Agency determination regarding your compliance. If you have an objection regarding an observation, or have implemented, or plan to implement, corrective action in response to an observation, you may discuss the objection or action with the FDA representative(s) during the inspection or submit this information to FDA at the address above. If you have any questions, please contact FDA at the phone number and address above.  The observations noted in this Form FDA-483 are not an exhaustive listing of objectionable conditions. Under the law, your firm is responsible for conducting internal self-audits to identify and correct any and all violations of the quality system requirements.

DURING AN INSPECTION OF YOUR FIRM I OBSERVED:

OBSERVATION 1

 

An MDR report was not submitted within 30 days of receiving or otherwise becoming aware of information that reasonably suggests that a marketed device has malfunctioned and would be likely to cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur.

 

Specifically, Complaints are received by the Boston Scientific Complaint Call Center, who then forwards the complaint to the appropriate Complaint Management Center (CMC), where an initial MDR determination is completed. The CMC then has the Complaint Investigation Site, the site that manufactured the device, conduct a complaint investigation to determine root cause and search for complaint trends. The following complaints were determined to be MDR reportable by Boston Scientific Corporation, however, the MDR reports were filed more than 30 days after the initial complaint notification.

 

 Complaint #  Date  MDR Date  MDR #  Total Days to Report  

 4/12/05  5/27/05  6000048-2005-00069  45  

 12/9/05  1/28/05  6000048-2005-00011  50  

 6/20/05  8/10/05  6000048-2005-00100  51  

 1/31/05  7/25/05  6000043-2005-00028  176  

 4/1/05  6/30/05  6000043-2005-00021  90  

 2/28/05  6/30/05  6000043-2005-00020  122  

 8/16/04  2/10/05  6000043-2005-00002  178  

 9/21/04  2/10/05  6000043-2005-00008  142  

 8/2/04  2/10/05  6000043-2005-00003  192  

 11/1/04  1/28/05  6000048-2005-00013  91  

 4/4/05  6/30/05  6000043-2005-00023  90  

 1/25/05  3/21/05  6000043-2005-00014  55  

 8/25/04  2/28/05  6000043-2005-00006  84  

 10/18/04  2/28/05  6000043-2005-00005  41  

 9/27/04  2/28/05  6000043-2005-00004  154  

 5/7/05  6/30/05  6000043-2005-00022  54  

OBSERVATION 2

 

Complaints involving the possible failure of a device to meet any of its specifications were not evaluated and investigated where necessary.

 

Specifically,

 

1. The LeVeen Needle Electrode recall investigation was incomplete. BSC Spencer, the manufacturer of the LeVeen Needle Electrode, which is used as an accessory in conjunction with the Boston Scientific Corporations Radiofrequency (RF) generator for thermal necrosis of soft tissues, was not aware of the LeVeen Needle Electrode recall when the FDA Investigator asked for that specific recall documentation. By not being aware of the LeVeen Needle Electrode recall and the subsequent investigation activities, the firm can not assure that a complete recall investigation was conducted on both the LeVeen Needle Electrode, manufactured at BSC Spencer, and the BSC RF generator. The product investigation report is WAT-2005-04-01. The LeVeen Needle Electrode affected model numbers are M001262160 and M001262170.
    
2. BSC Spencer has the capability to do trending analysis by product lot number and product part number. For 7 of 15 complaints reviewed specific to the Leveen Electrode recall, Part #M001262160 and M001262170, Complaints 656988, 654015, 654019, 654023, 654029, 654032, 654033 the device was not returned and the complainant did not give the lot number. The complaint investigation was incomplete in that the firm did not investigate each complaint completely to identify possible trends. For these seven complaints, the lot number was not available and there was no trending analysis done on the LeVeen product number.

 

OBSERVATION 3

 

Complaint handling procedures for reviewing and evaluating complaints have not been completed.

 

Specifically, BSC Spencer External Customer Complaint Process procedure, #90101079 is incomplete in that it does not identify all trending types to be researched during the failure analysis to determine if their are any related complaints. For 7 of 15 complaints reviewed specific to the Leveen Electrode recall, the firm did not do trending by product part number for complaint investigations when the device was not returned and the firm was unable to obtain the product lot number. The complaints were closed after 90 days.

 

OBSERVATION 4

 

Procedures for the control and distribution of finished devices have not been defined and complete to ensure that only devices approved for release are distributed.

 

Specifically, when BSC Spencer places a shipping hold on products, they can still ship product from their facility to the BSC Quincy distribution facility "at risk" and on ship hold. The BSC Spencer procedure, Shipping Holds - In-plant and Distribution Holds, Q489027-0A, does not require the firm to hold product at the BSC Spencer facility.

 

 * DATES OF INSPECTION

08/25/2005(Thu), 08/26/2005(Fri), 08/29/2005(Mon), 08/30/2005(Tue), 09/02/2005(Fri), 09/06/2005(Tue), 09/09/2005(Fri), 09/12/2005(Mon)  

FDA EMPLOYEE'S NAME, TITLE, AND SIGNATURE:
[Handwritten Signature]
Benjamin J Smith, Investigator

  DATE ISSUED
09/12/2005

 

FORM FDA 483 (7/00)      PREVIOUS EDITION OBSOLETE                    INSPECTIONAL OBSERVATIONS

 Reverse Text on Page:

The observations of objectional conditions and practices listed on the front of this form are reported:

1. Pursuant to Section 704(b) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or

2. To assist firms inspected in complying with the Acts and regulations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration.

Section 704(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 USC374(b)) provides:

“Upon completion of any such inspection of a factory, warehouse, consulting laboratory, or other establishment, and prior to leaving the premises, the officer or employee making the inspection shall give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge a report in writing setting forth any conditions or practices observed by him which, in his judgement, indicate that any food, drug, device, cosmetic in such establishment (1) consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or (2) has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health. A copy of such report shall be sent promptly to the Secretary.”

Return to: Page Top | EFOI Reading Room Start