Live! #77 – Get Ahead of the Crisis: How Your Quality System Can Prevent Negative Impacts on Customers, Patients, and Reputation

Device Advice by RQM+

This show was recorded 28 March 2024. We encourage you to download the presentation given in the first portion of this session by ⁠completing the form on this page⁠. Please join us live for future shows and ask your own questions! We hold one RQM+ Live! panel discussion per month and you can sign up at the ⁠⁠Knowledge Center⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Events⁠⁠ pages at RQMplus.com.

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Summary

The conversation in this part focuses on the importance of quality systems and compliance in preventing negative impacts on customers, patients, and reputation. The panelists discuss the history and evolution of FDA regulations for medical devices, the potential consequences of not following these regulations, and the need for a strong quality culture within organizations. They also highlight the significance of effective communication, continuous improvement, and proactive remediation activities in staying ahead of compliance risks and device recalls. The conversation highlights the importance of making quick decisions in the medical device industry, especially when it comes to recalls and addressing patient risk. It is crucial to have a concise committee with the right players and a designated decision-maker. Organizations should err on the side of being conservative and prioritize patient safety over financial concerns. Complaint handling and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions) are key components of a robust quality management system. It is important to have a culture of quality that starts from the top and encourages open communication and collaboration. Internal audits and continuous inspection readiness are essential for maintaining compliance and reducing the cost of non-quality. Lack of leadership accountability is identified as a significant barrier to creating a culture of quality.

Takeaways

• Quality systems and compliance are crucial in preventing negative impacts on customers, patients, and reputation.
• Understanding the history and evolution of FDA regulations for medical devices provides context for the importance of compliance.
• Non-compliance with FDA regulations can lead to various consequences, including warning letters, product recalls, import detention, and civil money penalties.
• A strong quality culture within an organization is essential for maintaining compliance and preventing compliance issues.
• Effective communication, continuous improvement, and proactive remediation activities are key in staying ahead of compliance risks and device recalls. Quick decisions need to be made in the medical device industry, and a concise committee with the right players and a designated decision-maker is essential.
• Organizations should prioritize patient safety over financial concerns and err on the side of being conservative when it comes to recalls and addressing patient risk.
• Complaint handling and CAPA are crucial components of a robust quality management system.
• A culture of quality that starts from the top and encourages open communication and collaboration is necessary for maintaining high-quality products.
• Internal audits and continuous inspection readiness are important for staying compliant and reducing the cost of non-quality.
• Lack of leadership accountability is a significant barrier to creating a culture of quality.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

04:12 Evolution of FDA Quality System Regulation

07:17 Consequences of Non-Compliance

12:29 FDA 483 Citation Data

29:10 Making Decisions and Recalls

32:31 CAPA and Complaint Handling 39:22

Creating a Culture of Quality

45:01 Takeaways and Conclusion

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