PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IIOngoing

FDA Devices recall · Reported August 29, 2018

Philips SureSigns VS4 Vital Signs Monitor, 863283 863286 The SureSigns VS4 vital signs monitor is for use by healthcare professionals whenever there is a need for monitoring the physiological parameters of patients. The SureSigns VS4 monitor is for monitoring, recording, and alarming of multiple physiological parameters in healthcare environments for the patient types listed below. Additionally, the monitor may be used in transport situations within a healthcare facility.

Philips has received several reports in which monitors with lithium ion batteries that had exceeded their battery life expectancy have overheated or ignited. These batteries shou…

Recall #
Z-2894-2018
Affected scope
VM 96,324 Units; VS 110,424 Units; VSV 691 Units
Initiated
July 13, 2018
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
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Philips Electronics North America Corporation recalled Philips SureSigns VS4 Vital Signs Monitor, 863283 863286 The SureSigns VS4 vital sig… - a moderate-severity action.

Philips SureSigns VS4 Vital Signs Monitor, 863283 863286 The SureSigns VS4 vital sig… was recalled by Philips Electronics North America Corporation in August 29, 2018. Reason: Philips has received several reports in which monitors with lithium ion batteries that had exceeded their bat…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-2894-2018 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Philips Electronics North America Corporation issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Philips has received several reports in which monitors with lithium ion batteries that had exceeded their bat….

Moderate
severity level
Class II
classification
August 29, 2018
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-2894-2018 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-2894-2018) was formally reported on August 29, 2018, with the manufacturer initiating the action on July 13, 2018. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Ongoing. Philips Electronics North America Corporation is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Andover, MA. Federal records list the affected scope as VM 96,324 Units; VS 110,424 Units; VSV 691 Units.

The documented reason for this recall is: Philips has received several reports in which monitors with lithium ion batteries that had exceeded their battery life expectancy have overheated or ignited. These batteries should be replaced every 3 years or upon rea… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide distribution: US (nationwide) including Puerto Rico and countries of: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Camb…. Distribution scope 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, 3 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 - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,248
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. 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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

VM 96,324 Units; VS 110,424 Units; VSV 691 Units

Related Recalls

6

3 from same agency

Product description

Philips SureSigns VS4 Vital Signs Monitor, 863283 863286 The SureSigns VS4 vital signs monitor is for use by healthcare professionals whenever there is a need for monitoring the physiological parameters of patients. The SureSigns VS4 monitor is for monitoring, recording, and alarming of multiple physiological parameters in healthcare environments for the patient types listed below. Additionally, the monitor may be used in transport situations within a healthcare facility.

Reason for recall

Philips has received several reports in which monitors with lithium ion batteries that had exceeded their battery life expectancy have overheated or ignited. These batteries should be replaced every 3 years or upon reaching 300 charge-discharge cycles. Although the Philips SureSigns VS & VM Monitors and View Station (VSV) can display actual information on either or both battery age and charge-discharge cycles, the existing labeling does not include full instructions on how to use this information to determine when to replace the battery. An overheated battery may in turn cause the device case to overheat and possibly melt or cause the device to ignite, which can cause injury to a patient, nearby users, or cause damage to property.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Ongoing
Recall number Z-2894-2018
Date reported August 29, 2018
Date initiated July 13, 2018
Recalling firm Philips Electronics North America Corporation
Firm location Andover, MA
Affected scope VM 96,324 Units; VS 110,424 Units; VSV 691 Units
Distribution Worldwide distribution: US (nationwide) including Puerto Rico and countries of: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, Chile, China, …

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-2894-2018) 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Philips SureSigns VS4 Vital Signs Monitor, 863283 863286 The SureSigns VS4 vital signs monitor is for use by healthcare professionals whenever there is a need for monitoring the physiological parameters of patients. The SureSigns VS4 monitor is for monitoring, recording, and alarming of multiple physiological parameters in healthcare environments for the patient types listed below. Additionally, the monitor may be used in transport situations within a healthcare facility.. Recalled by Philips Electronics North America Corporation. Units affected: VM 96,324 Units; VS 110,424 Units; VSV 691 Units.
Why was this product recalled?
Philips has received several reports in which monitors with lithium ion batteries that had exceeded their battery life expectancy have overheated or ignited. These batteries should be replaced every 3 years or upon reaching 300 charge-discharge cycles. Although the Philips SureSigns VS & VM Monitors and View Station (VSV) can display actual information on either or both battery age and charge-discharge cycles, the existing labeling does not include full instructions on how to use this information to determine when to replace the battery. An overheated battery may in turn cause the device case to overheat and possibly melt or cause the device to ignite, which can cause injury to a patient, nearby users, or cause damage to property.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on August 29, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-2894-2018.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide distribution: US (nationwide) including Puerto Rico and countries of: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Finland, Guadeloupe, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Republic of, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Lybia, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, State of, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-2894-2018) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device?
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Devices, reported August 29, 2018. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.