WASHINGTON -- The FDA has notified healthcare professionals and consumers of a number of counterfeit copies of military-grade tourniquets which may either break or fail to function as well as the original.
The Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) consists of a strap and plastic tension rod used to tighten the material and restrict blood flow to an affected limb and are distributed by a select number of distributors in several locations in the U.S.
Fakes of the emergency medical device have a weak plastic tension rod that may bend or break before adequate therapy is applied, FDA tests of the counterfeit found. The lack of pressure may not sufficiently stop blood flow and may cause excessive blood loss in patients.
Real copies of the tourniquet can be identified by the National Supply Number on the product's C-A-T logo its side, NSN6515-01-521-7676. The device is only sold at authorized distributors, including:
- North American Rescue, in Greer, S.C.
- Cardinal Health in McGaw Park, Ill.
- Owens and Minor in Mechanicsville, Va.
- American Purchasing Services in Opa Locka, Fla.
- Phoenix Textile Corporation in O'Fallon, Mo.
Consumers should replace any devices they suspect to be counterfeit with genuine articles, the FDA said in a prepared statement.
FDA investigation of the source of the fake devices is ongoing and updates will be posted online, the statement said.