The following information and recommendations are targeted for ICU, OR and NICU warming therapy devices from Dräger that were used on patients infected or highly suspected to be infected with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

Last update: 04.08.2020

Information on retention rates of Dräger filter efficiency.

Last update: 20.03.2020

It is only technically possible to use breathing system filters (BSF) in combination with adapters on a neonatal expiratory valve. Expiratory filters used in combination with active humidification may increase the expiratory resistance. For the operator, a risk-benefit analysis per patient case must be done with regard to the corresponding limitations and requirements for use outside the intended purpose (off-label use). The combination of an expiratory filter and neonatal expiratory valve is not approved. Dräger cannot and must therefore not make any fundamental recommendation.

As a manufacturer of medical and safety technology, Dräger is aware of its responsibility to provide some insights both (I) on the legal and regulatory perspective as well as (II) related to the use of a Dräger BSF in combination with Dräger neonatal expiratory valve.

Last update: 03.04.2020

The following information relates to ventilation devices from Dräger using ambient air for the patient breathing gas.

Last update: 03.04.2020

You will find information on reprocessing medical accessories further down on this page in the relevant product section. 

Last update: 27.03.2020

You will find information on reprocessing medical devices further down on this page in the relevant product section or in our reprocessing booklet.

Last update: 15.04.2020

Dräger ventilators are generally specified to be operated with a high-pressure oxygen source with a concentration of 100% oxygen.

In case that a Dräger ventilator is used with oxygen 93 the device will not achieve all specifications or accuracies stated in the instructions for use. Using  ventilators with oxygen 93 would therefore be regarded as an off-label use carried out by the user under his sole responsibility.

Due to calibration with oxygen 93 instead of oxygen 100 the delivered FiO2 can be lower by up to 11%. This must be considered when setting FiO2. Undesired alarms and other effects can occur.

For detailed legal, regulatory and application information please read the following document below.

Last update: 16.04.2020

In the last few days many customers and health care professionals approached us, to obtain information about possibly using Dräger Carina sub-acute Care ventilators as an alternative ventilator when alternative devices are fully utilized and there is no other ventilator option. Against these special circumstances, we believe it is our responsibility to provide some insights both (i) on the legal and regulatory perspective as well as (ii) on some known limitations of Dräger Carina sub-acute care ventilators for usage on ICUs.

Last update: 25.03.2020

It is technically possible to perform long-term ventilation with an anaesthesia machine as an alternative ventilator when existing ventilators are fully utilized and there is no other ventilator option. For the operator, however, a risk-benefit analysis per patient case must be done with regard to the corresponding limitations and requirements for use outside the intended purpose (off-label use) of Dräger anaesthesia machines as defined in the Instructions for Use. Dräger cannot and must therefore not make any fundamental recommendation for the use of anaesthesia machines for long-term ventilation of intensive care patients.

As a manufacturer of medical and safety technology, Dräger is aware of its responsibility to protect, support and save lives. For this reason, health care facilities can get detailed information on legal and regulatory issues as well as on the possible applications of Dräger anaesthesia devices for long-term ventilation. Please review the document below for more information.

We have also created an overview of ventilation modes in critical care ventilators along with naming used on the different Dräger anaesthesia devices. Please see document below.

Last update: 29.04.2020

Recently many customers and health care professionals approached us to obtain information about possibly using Dräger Oxylog emergency and transport ventilators for long-term ventilation as an alternative ventilator when existing devices are fully utilized and there is no other ventilator option. Against these special circumstances, we believe it is our responsibility to provide some insights both (i) on the legal and regulatory perspective as well as (ii) on some known limitations of Dräger Oxylog emergency and transport ventilators for long-term ventilation.

We have received many inquiries regarding social media postings and publications that discuss the use of one ventilator to be used on multiple patients. Any such use would be considered “off-label application”. The intended use of Draeger ventilators is as a single patient item to ensure safe and reliable management of the respiratory failure patient that requires mechanical ventilation.

Last update: 27.03.2020

In general it is possible to use the Babylog ventilators to ventilate paediatric patients, as Dräger Babylog ventilators are intended and approved for the ventilation of premature and term neonates and paediatric patients. However, there is a limitation in the height/weight of paediatric patients. If bigger paediatric patients shall be ventilated with Babylog ventilators, a risk-benefit analysis per patient case must be done with regard to the corresponding limitations and requirements for use outside the intended purpose (off-label use). Dräger cannot and must therefore not make any fundamental recommendation.

As a manufacturer of medical and safety technology, Dräger is aware of its responsibility to provide some insights both (I) on the legal and regulatory perspective as well as (II) related to the use of Dräger Babylog ventilator products.

Last update: 08.04.2020

In order to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus via the anaesthesia machine, mechanical filters or HMEFs with mechanical filter media should be placed at defined positions.

The correct placement depends on the patient group and the breathing system filters and HMEFs used. In this context, please consider the reprocessing instructions when changing patients in particular, when filters or HMEFs could not be used as recommended.

Follow the Instuctions for Use, in particular the chapter Reprocessing. Follow the occupational safety and reprocessing guidelines of the hospital and local/national health authorities. Based on the individual situation/assessment, it is up to hospital hygiene requirements to decide on the appropriate measures.

The current situation in Germany is extremely dynamic due to COVID-19 and the development of the pandemic. As a leading global company with the guiding principle “Technology for Life”, human health is our top priority. Our products and services protect, support and save lives. It is precisely in such a situation that we want to demonstrate this by doing our utmost.

We are therefore willing to put your old out-of-service medical devices back into operation. However, we must point out that we can only carry out a functional test of the devices in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and that we are not responsible for any repairs, maintenance, replacement of spare parts or other actions carried out prior to recommissioning. Improper repairs or replacement parts can lead to unforeseen damage or failure of the unit. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your contact at Dräger in the usual way.  

Last update: 27.03.2020

The WHO has indicated high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy as treatment of selected patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure of COVID-19 Patients. For more information please read the following document below.

Last update: 04.05.2020

Dräger does not give clinical guidance. Please refer to the societies and organisations listed in the link section for further information, best practices and clinical guidance.

Last update: 27.03.2020

We hosted a webinar and Q&A interview session with Prof. Giacomo Grasselli, Associate Professor of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Milan, to talk about his experiences and lessons learned with COVID-19 patients in the Lombardy area. You can access the recordings below.

We hosted a webinar with Dr. Luigi Camporota, Intensivist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the Severe Respiratory Failure and ECMO service at St Thomas’ Hospital. During the session Dr. Camporota talked about his experiences and gave practical advice on the topic of the Different phenotypes and approaches in Covid-19 patients. You can access the recording below.

We hosted a webinar with Prof. Paolo Navalesi, Full Professor of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the Department of Medicine of the University of Padua (Italy) and Director of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Padua. During the session, Prof. Navalesi talked about his experiences and gave practical advice on the topic of ventilator settings and the weaning of COVID-19 patients. You can access the recording below.

We have received many inquiries regarding social media postings and publications that discuss the use of one ventilator to be used on multiple patients. Any such use would be considered “off-label application”. The intended use of Dräger ventilators is as a single patient item to ensure safe and reliable management of the respiratory failure patient that requires mechanical ventilation.

Last update: 27.03.2020

In the last few days many customers and health care professionals approached us, to obtain information about possibly using Dräger Carina sub-acute Care ventilators as an alternative ventilator when alternative devices are fully utilised and there is no other ventilator option. Against these special circumstances, we believe it is our responsibility to provide some insights both (i) on the legal and regulatory perspective as well as (ii) on some known limitations of Dräger Carina sub-acute care ventilators for usage on ICUs.

Last update: 25.03.2020

The following information relates to ventilation devices from Dräger using ambient air for the patient breathing gas.

Last update: 29.04.2020

The following information and recommendations are targeted for Intensive Care devices from
Dräger that were used on patients infected or highly suspected to be infected with the novel
coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

Last update: 30.03.2020

Information and recommendations for Dräger Anaesthesia workstations that were used on patients infected or highly suspected to be infected with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Please find more materials explaining how to clean and reprocess our devices below. 

Last update: 08.05.2020

Information on retention rates of Dräger filter efficiency.

Last update: 08.04.2020

The following information and recommendations are targeted for Neonatal Intensive Care devices from Dräger. 

Please find more materials explaining how to clean and reprocess our devices below.

Last update: 27.03.2020

Unfortunately it is not possible to reprocess the FFP protective masks supplied by Dräger.
All FFP protective masks contain electrostatic filter materials – the charge of these materials is destroyed by heat, radioactive radiation, UV radiation and the like, causing the mask to lose most of its filtration properties. Disinfectants such as isopropyl, ethanol and other detergents also destroy the charge of the filter material.

Since all the above-mentioned procedures cause lasting damage to the filter material, Dräger is not working on a reprocessing procedure.

In this connection, please also observe the information contained in the instructions for use for the respective products.

Last update: 08.04.2020

As a manufacturer, Dräger advises against the use of expired FFPs and breathing filters. No general statements can be made about the extent to which they still have their actual protective performance. For example, an expired FFP3 may no longer have the normative protective performance of an FFP3. The reason for this is the electrostatic property of the filter material, which decreases over the years. However, only a test in an approved laboratory with the appropriate equipment can provide information on the basic standard EN 149, which is used to check and measure the current performance

Last update: 02.04.2020

Dräger does not give guidance on which PPE should be used linked to COVID-19. As one possible source please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) who published an interim guidance “Infection prevention and control during health care when COVID-19 is suspected” which names the appropriate PPE when in contact with patients (see chapter 3.2 Airborne precautions for aerosol-generating.

Last update: 31.03.2020

The purpose of a surgical mask is to protect against penetration by sprayed liquids and to protect others against droplets in the air exhaled by the wearer. A respirator mask protects the wearer against inhalation of minute airborne particles and droplets.  In a non-occupational situation a surgical mask may be beneficial for the protection of other persons when the wearer believes that he or she may be spreading pathogens.

Last update: 31.03.2020

We will continue to deliver our products and provide our services for as long as we can. We are coordinating with the authorities so as to be able to continue working even under difficult conditions. To this end, we have increased our production but we are also urging our colleagues on site to carry out the necessary installations with the highest priority.

We very much regret that we are currently unable to make any reliable statements about possible delivery dates for your order.

Unfortunately, our capacities are currently at their limits due to the coronavirus. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Last update: 27.03.2020

Within the scope of our capacities and subject to any official orders, we will continue to try to supply our products for medical care and personal protective equipment. To this end, we have increased our production along the entire value chain, also involving suppliers, and have taken various organisational measures to protect our employees in the best possible way and maintain the company's capacity to act. 

You will of course appreciate that, despite enormous efforts, it is not always possible to satisfy this exponentially increasing demand directly and immediately.  

Last update: 27.03.2020

Please appreciate that we are only training key users and avoiding large groups when giving initial trainings so as to protect our own employees.

Last update: 07.04.2020

If it should turn out that one of your employees who was in contact with our service technician today tested positive for COVID-19, please inform your contact at Dräger immediately so that we can take the necessary measures.

Last update: 27.03.2020

We will maintain our service operations for as long as possible and prioritise the functionality of our products and services. The focus will be on repairs; routine activities will be of secondary importance. Of course, the safety of our customers, patients and employees is also important to us so that we are able to meet our social responsibility.  

Last update: 27.03.2020