FDA Devices recall · Reported November 4, 2020
Philips Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles, Switched Internal Paddles, Model Numbers M4741A, M4742A, M4743A, M4744A - Product Usage: used in pairs to transmit a controlled electrical shock from an external defibrillator directly to the exposed heart muscle of a post-pubescent patient in order to intentionally stop start the heartbeat during cardiopulmonary surgery.
The periodic Paddle Checks recommended in the Instructions for Use for Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles may not detect one failure mode for the Switched Internal Defibrillator P…
Philips North America, LLC recalled Philips Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles, Switched Internal Paddles, Model Numbers M474… - a moderate-severity action.
Philips Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles, Switched Internal Paddles, Model Numbers M474… was recalled by Philips North America, LLC in November 4, 2020. Reason: The periodic Paddle Checks recommended in the Instructions for Use for Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles may…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0284-2021 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Philips North America, LLC issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-The periodic Paddle Checks recommended in the Instructions for Use for Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles may….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 9K units
- affected scope
- Class II
- classification
- November 4, 2020
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0284-2021 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. Distribution scope (see Distribution below) directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Devices - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Medical Devices recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 41,021 medical devices recalls on record
Of 88,244 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,068 are high severity, 64,652 moderate, and 4,524 low. A further 16,179 CPSC/NHTSA recalls have no agency class and are excluded from this split. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Product description
Philips Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles, Switched Internal Paddles, Model Numbers M4741A, M4742A, M4743A, M4744A - Product Usage: used in pairs to transmit a controlled electrical shock from an external defibrillator directly to the exposed heart muscle of a post-pubescent patient in order to intentionally stop start the heartbeat during cardiopulmonary surgery.
Reason for recall
The periodic Paddle Checks recommended in the Instructions for Use for Sterilizable Defibrillator Paddles may not detect one failure mode for the Switched Internal Defibrillator Paddles. Philips has created an addendum to the IFU, that includes a test for the switched paddles only, which will detect this failure mode.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0284-2021 |
| Date reported | November 4, 2020 |
| Date initiated | September 14, 2020 |
| Recalling firm | Philips North America, LLC |
| Firm location | Andover, MA |
| Affected scope | 8,942 |
| Distribution | Global Distribution. US Nationwide. |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What to do with this recall
Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.
- Check the recall number (Z-0284-2021) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting, recall details can be updated.
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
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Nationwide recalls with similar severity or category timing
Drug and device notices outside this firm and state, matched by severity timing and product category.
Similar severity · nearest report date
Same archive severity grade (Moderate), closest by report date among other firms and states.
Similar Medical Devices · nearest report date
Same product category, closest by report date among other firms and states (deduped against the severity set).
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Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026