GE Optima CT520 and Optima CT540 Computed Tomography (CT) systems. Intended to produce cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction of x-ray transmission data taken at different angles and planes.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0840-2014) was formally reported on February 5, 2014, with the manufacturer initiating the action on October 9, 2013. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. GE Healthcare, LLC is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Waukesha, WI. Federal records indicate 272 (29 US; 243 OUS) units are affected, placing this recall in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps.

The documented reason for this recall is: There is an issue with the Manual Film Composer feature on some CT products. There is an opportunity, while following a specific workflow, to create a film image with one patient's images and another patient's name in … Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide Distribution-USA (nationwide) including the states of AL, CO, FL, IN, KS, KY, MN, NC, OH, TX, and VA, and the countries of ALGERIA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BULGARIA, CANADA, CHINA, ABIDJAN COTEDIVOIRE EGYPT, FRANC…. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Devices. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 12 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.