Coronavirus (COVID-19 or nCoV) - Dräger's Important Information during the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

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).

Information on retention rates of Dräger filter efficiency.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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. 

Information on retention rates of Dräger filter efficiency.

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.