Infusion pumps recalled in U.S. but not Canada

The maker of one of the most popular infusion pumps for hospitals and health facilities has been ordered to recall and destroy about 200,000 of the units.

Infusion pumps are used to deliver specific doses of drugs and other fluids to patients who are on intravenous lines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says infusion pumps have been linked to more than 56,000 injuries, deaths and malfunctions between 2005 and 2009.

Baxter Healthcare, maker of the Colleague pump, which is subject of the recall order, could not give a time frame for removing the devices from service.

"We'll be working collaboratively with the FDA," Baxter spokeswoman Erin Gardiner told CBC News. "So we're going to try to remove them or recall them in a manner that's the least disruptive as possible."

The Baxter pumps are used in Canadian hospitals and other health-care settings but will not be recalled.

"We've worked with Health Canada to execute a number of upgrades such that the Colleague infusion pumps outside of the U.S. are ahead of those in the U.S.," Gardiner said.

She maintains the pumps are safe and effective when used properly.

The FDA says it hasbeen working with Baxter since 1999 to correct numerous device flaws.

"Since then, Colleague pumps have been the subject of several Class I recalls for battery swelling, inadvertent power off, service data errors and other issues," the FDAsaid in a news release.

Baxter expects the U.S. recall will cost the company U.S. $400 million to $600 million.