In an attempt to improve patient safety, national heart device manufacturers have committed to better research and evaluation of their products before they hit the market.
This safety plan comes after the release of several defective heart products, ranging from difibulators to deadly St. Jude Silzone heart valves.
The decision was influenced by a Heart Rhythm Society report, which called on device makers to create, among other things, independent panels of doctors and other specialists to review product safety.
In response to the Heart Rhythm Society’s request, Medtronic Inc. and St. Jude both announced plans to involve a greater number of outside doctors in the product research and development phase.
The full article as reported in the New York Times can be found here.
Additional Resources: