2-day In-person Seminar

Effective Complaint Handling, Medical Device Reporting and Recalls


March 9th & 10th, 2017

Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

San Diego, CA

Venue: Four Points By Sheraton San Diego Downtown


Director : David R Dills
  Price: $1,495.00
(Seminar Fee for One Delegate)

  Register for 5 attendees   Price: $4,485.00
      $7,475.00 You Save: $2,990.00 (40%)*

**Please note the registration will be closed 2 days (48 Hours) prior to the date of the seminar.

An effective complaint handling system is an extremely important part of any quality system. Manufacturers should understand that any complaint received on a product shall be evaluated and, if necessary, thoroughly investigated and analyzed, and corrective action shall be taken.

The results of this evaluation should lead to a conclusion regarding whether the complaint was valid, what the root cause of the complaint was, and what action is necessary to prevent further occurrences. Complaints cannot be ignored. They are an excellent indicator of problems with the use, design, and/or manufacture of a product. A single complaint that is thoroughly investigated may lead a company to take remedial or corrective action. It may also take an ongoing analysis of numerous complaints before a trend is spotted that causes a company to initiate changes in their product, labeling, packaging or distribution. The regulatory expectations for both pharmaceuticals and medical devices will be emphasized as well as overview of best practices for timely and effective investigations. Trending is the only way a company can stay on top of emerging quality issues and address those that are most pressing.

Medical Device Reporting (MDR) is the mechanism for FDA to receive significant medical device adverse events from manufacturers, importers and user facilities, so they can be detected and corrected quickly. User Facilities (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes) are required to report suspected medical device related deaths to both the FDA and the manufacturers. User facilities report medical device related serious injuries only to the manufacturer. If the medical device manufacturer is unknown, the serious injury is reported by the facility to FDA. Health professionals within a user-facility should familiarize themselves with their institution procedures for reporting adverse events to the FDA.

The MDR process impacts device user facilities, manufacturers, importers, and distributors. If you are a device user facility, you must report deaths and serious injuries that a device has or may have caused or contributed to, establish and maintain adverse event files, and submit summary annual reports. If you are a manufacturer or importer, you must report deaths and serious injuries that your device has or may have caused or contributed to, you must report certain device malfunctions, and you must establish and maintain adverse event files. If you are a manufacturer, you must also submit specified follow-up.

Recall means the correction or removal of a device for human use where FDA finds that there is a reasonable probability that the device would cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. It is an action taken to address a problem with a medical device that violates FDA law. Recalls occur when a medical device is defective, when it could be a risk to health, or when it is both defective and a risk to health.

A medical device recall does not always mean that you must stop using the product or return it to the company. A recall sometimes means that the medical device needs to be checked, adjusted, or fixed. If an implanted device (for example, a pacemaker or an artificial hip) is recalled, it does not always have to be removed. When an implanted device has the potential to fail unexpectedly, companies often tell doctors to contact their patients to discuss the risk of removing the device compared to the risk of leaving it in place. FDA classifies medical device recalls into three categories, representing the potential risk to public health: Class I, II, and III.


Why you should attend:

  • Understand that although FDA does not specify a standard complaint handling system, the requirements do specify certain actions that shall be included in any system
  • Grasp and comprehend the definitions and elements of the regulatory requirements for Complaint Handling, Medical Device Reporting and handling of Recalls
  • All personnel who deal with customers, or who may receive a complaint call, must be trained in the proper routing/handling of complaints
  • Provide information about FDA's Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulation and the Voluntary Reporting program called MedWatch
  • Introduce you Medical Device Reporting and to help you better understand the process and benefits of Voluntary Reporting and responsibilities
  • Latest Amendments to the MDR Regulation to Implement FDAMA Changes
  • To Recall or Not to Recall: Issues to consider regarding whether a Field Action is required
  • Determine when a recall is required and how to manage a recall, who must report, when to report, what to report, where to report, recordkeeping requirements, FDA regulatory authority, references and guidance
  • Seminar attendees are encouraged to bring examples of their work from the functional area on the various topics as applicable for group discussion
  • Review and discuss pain points, challenges and solutions

Areas Covered in the seminar:

  • Reporting complaints
  • Managers
  • Complaint evaluation and investigation
  • Data collection and trending
  • CAPA process for investigating complaints
  • Accelerate complaints recording, investigation, reporting, escalation/triggers and closure cycle as cases are automatically routed from one stage to the next
  • Gain enterprise-wide visibility into the complaints data and track the process with performance metrics, dashboards or other indicators
  • Improve communication and teamwork on complaints across departments and functional areas
  • Drive continuous improvement by tying corrective actions with complaints for a closed loop quality process
  • Improve management of the complaint lifecycle with real-time trending and escalation of customer complaints
  • Understand the History of MDR Regulation
  • What types of Reports does the FDA receive and who must submit Mandatory Reports to the FDA?
  • Who can submit Voluntary Reports to the FDA?
  • How Does the FDA Use Medical Device Reports?
  • What are the exemptions, variances, or alternative forms of adverse event reporting requirements?
  • Basics of a Recall: Initiation, Classification and Public Warning
  • Medical Device Recall Reporting
  • Recall Responsibilities & Requirements
  • FDA's Role
  • Introduction to Medical Device Recalls: Industry Responsibilities
  • Recall Communication and Strategy
  • Monitoring and Auditing Recall Effectiveness
  • Recall Termination
  • Guidance for Industry, Trends and FDA Inspection & Enforcement Statistics and Trends

Who Will Benefit:

  • Regulatory Affairs Management
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Auditors
  • Compliance Officer
  • Compliance Specialist
  • Clinical Affairs
  • Quality Assurance Management
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Distributors/Authorized Representatives
  • Legal Counsel
  • Engineering/Technical Services
  • Operations/Manufacturing
  • Consultants

Day 1 Schedule


Lecture 1:

Complaint Handling

  • What are the elements of an effective complaint management
  • system?
  • How does risk management influence complaint handling
  • decisions?
  • What are the responsibilities of other departments?
  • What is the best way to train customer contact employees?
  • What steps would the FDA expect to see the departments taking that sorts out potential MDRs, product complaints and other reportable events?
  • What and how do you perform trending?
  • What are examples of how companies trend and analyze service calls and product complaints?
  • Understand how and why CAPA is tied in to product complaint investigation
  • What is an appropriate complaint handling system in a risk-based post-market environment?
  • How do you audit a complaint handling system?
  • From your audits, how do you judge that your complaint handling system is effective?
  • Assignment of responsibility
  • Manufacturer should develop a method for maintaining records of complaints and investigations that: is functional and economical, meets company needs, and meets FDA requirements and expectations
  • Identify designated complaint handling unit
  • Instructions for documenting complaint information
  • Process for evaluating complaints
  • Process for investigating complaints
  • Identify and process MDR's
  • How to process customer returns
  • Records and trend analysis
  • Complaint closure
  • Examples of tools currently being used to conduct investigations
  • How far and in-depth do you go with your investigations
  • What are current FDA "hot" buttons and trends, benchmarks and best practices for investigations
  • How to become a "good" investigator and the emphasis on closed-loop investigations
  • Written Procedures: Designated Complaint Handling Unit, Training and Records
  • Recent Enforcement Actions

Lecture 2:

Medical Device Reporting

  • Introduction to Medical Device Reporting
  • What are the key terms, definitions and forms?
  • MDR procedures and processes
  • What are the requirements for developing, maintaining, and implementing written MDR procedures that apply to me?
  • How do you manage international reporting requirements under your complaint handling system?
  • Consider the relationship between MDRs and Risk Assessments

Lecture 3:

Exercise and Recap of Day 1

  • Exercise on Product Complaints/Complaint Handling
  • Quiz

Day 2 Schedule


Lecture 1:

Medical Device Reporting

  • eMDR Electronic Medical Device Reporting
  • How to Report a Problem
  • Event Problem Codes and Manufacturer Evaluation Codes
  • MedWatch: Safety Information and AER Program
  • Completing Form FDA 3500A
  • What form should I use to submit reports of individual adverse events and where do I obtain these forms?
  • Where and how do I submit reports and additional information?
  • Does the information in my report constitute an admission that the device caused or contributed to the reportable event?
  • What are the requirements for developing, maintaining, and implementing written MDR procedures and maintain records/files that apply to me?
  • Requirements for Individual Adverse Event Reports
  • User Facility Reporting, Importer Reporting and Manufacturer Reporting Requirements

Lecture 2:

Recalls

  • What happens in a medical device recall: Firm-initiated recall vs. mandatory recall
  • What information needs to be reported?
  • What types of records do companies need to keep?
  • Prior to notifying FDA, what steps should you have taken?
  • What are the dos and don'ts when informing FDA of a product problem?
  • Who should be involved in the decision process?
  • Who should be responsible for communicating with FDA?
  • What are the consequences of a recall?
  • What factors should you consider when determining whether or not to get your product back?
  • How do you prepare for a post recall inspection?
  • What customer and other outside communications are necessary?
  • What documentation should be prepared?
  • How should the product liability implications of recall communications be handled?
  • What is an effectiveness check?
  • Health Hazard Evaluations are conducted by FDA
  • How should you write your recall correspondence?
  • How do you determine that your recall is completed and what do you do to close your recall internally and with FDA?
  • Create and use a recall operational
  • Understand what is required for the recall strategy as expected by FDA
  • Depth of recall and using a viable, sustainable and effective strategy
  • Understand why the documentation and paper trail are so critical and termination of a recall
  • Discuss most recent recalls not only for devices but pharmaceuticals and why the numbers are alarming

Lecture 3:

Exercise and Recap of Day 2

  • Exercise - MDR and Recall
  • Quiz
Want to register by P.O/Check?
We facilitate registration by P.O/Checks!
Complete your registration in just a few easy steps
Please just download, fill out the registration form and send it to us either by email to support@globalcompliancepanel.com or just fax us at 302 288 6884.
Once the form is received, an invoice will be generated and sent back to your fax number.
Following this just send us your purchase order by fax at 302 288 6884
Click here to download Registration form
In case you wish to register by using check
In case you wish to register by using check, please make a check to NetZealous LLC DBA GlobalCompliancePanel.com and mail it to the below address.
NetZealous LLC,
DBA GlobalCompliancePanel,
161 Mission Falls Lane,
Suite 216, Fremont, CA 94539, USA
Phone: 1800 447 9407

Want to register by Wire Transfer?
Please call any of our representatives on 1800 447 9407 to help you completed the transfer.
Group participations
Get fabulous discounts by participating in groups of two or more.
No Attendees Discount
1 2 Attendees 10% off
2 3 to 6 Attendees 20% off
3 7 to 10 Attendees 25% off
4 10+ Attendees 30% off

To avail the above group discounts, all the participants should register by making a single payment

Call our representative TODAY on 1800 447 9407 to have your seats confirmed!

David R. Dills

Global Regulatory Affairs & Compliance Consultant

David R. Dills, Global Regulatory Affairs & Compliance Consultant currently provides regulatory affairs and compliance consultative services for early-stage and established Class I/II/III device, IVD, biopharmaceutical, cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers on the global landscape, and has an accomplished record with more than 27 years of experience in the areas of Regulatory Affairs, Compliance and Quality Systems. He has been previously employed, with increasing responsibilities by device manufacturers and consultancies, including a globally recognized CRO and has worked directly with manufacturers engaged in compliance remediation activities involving consent decrees, CIA's, warning letters, and customer generated compliance events, conducts QS, regulatory, compliance assessments/audits and FDA Mock Inspections for State of Readiness. He has been directly involved with constructing, reviewing, and remediating regulatory submissions, U.S. Agent for OUS companies, works closely with the key stakeholders and Agency/Center Reviewers regarding submission meetings and negotiations; clinical affairs/CTM and provides regulatory submissions and post-market project leadership and guidance covering multiple therapeutic and medical specialties based on classification. He has a strong background in the interpretation and applicability of FDA and international regulations, leads activities for the registration and approval process and working with the Agencies in Asia Pacific, EMEA and The Americas, including FDA, European Medicines Agency-EMA, MHRH, ANVISA, PMDA, MOH, CFDA, TGA, and Health Canada and works with management on regulatory strategies and plans supporting a company's commercialization strategy. He directs and leads efforts for PM support involving all phases of the premarketing to postmarketing; establishes Medical Device Single Audit (MDSAP), UDI, and Digital Marketing/Promotion/Advertising compliance strategies; lead efforts regarding AE/Incident Reporting, all aspects of Postmarketing Surveillance and Vigilance Reporting; establish QMS and documentation systems for GxP compliance; ISO 13485 registration and CE Mark, Technical File, Design Dossier and CER consultation; and facilitates multi-country product registrations and licensing. He recommends action to senior leadership to ensure effective resolution for manufacturers to achieve sustainable and proven compliant systems. Background encompasses broad capabilities in quality systems; documentation development and remediation; regulatory oversight and governance; design controls; CAPA investigations; GxP training; software embedded medical devices/all aspects of SW/SDLC and process validation with compliance oversight; supplier management; and demonstrates credible experience to optimize business performance through proactive strategies to mitigate compliance exposure. Mr. Dills has served on the Faculty Advisory Board for the Pharmaceutical Training Institute, Editorial Advisory Boards for Software Quality Professional and the Institute of Validation Technology (IVT), publisher of the Journal of GXP Compliance and Journal of Validation Technology and on the Readers' Board for Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry and Medical Product Manufacturing News and was nominated and accepted for inclusion into the 2005-2006 Strathmore's Who's Who of Professionals. Mr. Dills has authored and published validation, regulatory and compliance-related articles, commentaries and technical guides, and is an accomplished global industry presenter. Mr. Dills' academic degrees include Environmental Science and Biology. He is a former Chair and Co- Chair of ASQ's Section 1506 and affiliated with the Biomedical Division, RAPS, AdvaMed, PDA, ISPE, and other industry working groups.

Location: San Diego, CA Hotel: Four Points By Sheraton San Diego Downtown   1617 1st Avenue - San Diego, California, 92101 - United States

Sign Up for Our Newsletter