These notices are obsolete

These notifications are no longer valid and have been archived, please refer to the active SABS for current items.

Safety Alert (Red), requiring immediate attention and action.

Safety Notice (Amber), requiring risk assessment at the local level.

Safety Information (Green), ensuring that lessons learned from state-wide, national and international sources are shared actively across the NSW health system.

NumberTypeIssues coveredDate of issueDate archived
SI:005/21 Safety Information Green Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunisation23 May 202123 May 2023
SN:009/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Illicit cocaine containing strong opioids
14 May 20219 May 2023
SN:017/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Illicit cocaine containing high levels of lidocaine (lignocaine)
13 August 20214 May 2023
SN:008/23 Safety Notice Amber Disruption to supply: Heparin sodium (Pfizer®) 5000 units/5 mL injection ampoule 4 April 202327 April 2023
SI:002/16 Safety Information Green Switching between Extended Release (XR) vs Immediate Release (IR) Formulations
25 August 201619 April 2023
SN:005/18 Safety Notice Amber Peri-operative risk of SGLT2 inhibitor–associated ketoacidosis15 March 201819 April 2023
SN:011/09 Safety Notice Amber Allopurinol and Azathioprine 7 May 200919 April 2023
SA:004/23 Safety Alert Red Clinician alert – Measles case in NSW31 March 20236 April 2023
SN:003/16 Safety Notice Amber Use of Prone Restraint and Parenteral Medication in Healthcare Settings 14 July 201630 March 2023
SI:003/21 Safety Information Green Paediatric stationary oxygen concentrator set-up - Absence of low flow alarm for flow rates less than 2 litres per minute20 May 2021
28 March 2023
SN:010/10 Safety Notice Amber Correct identification of medication and solutions for epidural anaesthesia and analgesia 25 August 201027 February 2023
SN:012/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Enoxaparin 20 mg and 40 mg syringes: Disruption to supply1 June 202127 February 2023
SA:008/22 Safety Alert Red Japanese Encephalitis Virus – Update for Clinicians 16 December 202223 February 2023
SN:018/22 Safety Notice (Amber) Updated: Transvaginal mesh implants for PelvicOrgan (Vaginal) Prolapse
24 October 20221 February 2023
SI:001/23
 Safety Information Green Potential for error: look-alike fentanyl and suxamethonium Juno® ampoules
27 January 202331 January 2023
SN:006/09 Safety Notice Amber Wrong Route Errors with Oral Medication 25 March 200931 January 2023​
SN:005/21 Safety Notice (Amber) HYDROmorphone (Dilaudid®) Oral Liquid 1 mg/mL – Discontinued17 March 202131 January 2023​
​SA:009/22
 Safety Alert Red ​DEFECT ALERT: Computerised Ambulatory Delivery Device (CADD) pumps.
23 December 2022​12 January 2023​
SI:011/22
 Safety Information Green Philips Respironics CPAP and bi-level masks containing magnets 25 November 202216 December 2022
SA:002/22 Safety Alert Red Increased risk of presentation of Japanese encephalitis 28 Feburary 202216 December 2022
SN:003/06 Safety Notice Amber Peiron stent fracture in renal arteriesOctober 2006
​28 November 2022
SN:003/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) 1 March 2021
​11 November 2022
​SN:019/22 Safety Notice (Amber) ​New recommendations for anticancer drug dosing in kidney dysfunction – ADDIKD guideline​27 October 2022​4 November 2022
SN:018/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
18 August 20214 November 2022
SN:008/22 Safety Notice (Amber) Disruption to supply – non-ionic iodinated contrast media agents18 July 202227 October 2022
SN:015/17 Safety Notice Amber Transvaginal mesh implants for Pelvic Organ (Vaginal) Prolapse (Supersedes SN:010/17)
20 December 201724 October 2022
SA:005/22 Safety Alert Red Critical disruption to supply – tenecteplase (Metalyse®) injection - Updated1 September 20225 October 2022
SN:012/22 Safety Notice (Amber) Quarantine required – glass vials supplied with ANSTO Tc-99m generators23 September 202228 September 2022
SN:014/21 Safety Notice (Amber) 25C-NBOMe toxicity in patients who used powder thought to be MDMA2 July 202131 August 2022
SN:011/20 Safety Notice (Amber) Heroin and cocaine containing fentanyl and acetylfentanyl26 November 202031 August 2022
SN:009/20 Safety Notice (Amber) Acetylfentanyl and fentanyl in non-opioid illicit drugs16 October 202031 August 2022
SI:001/12 Safety Information Green Antenatal magnesium sulphate infusion prior to preterm birth for neuroprotection of the foetus infant and child4 May 201231 August 2022
SN:003/07 Safety Notice Amber Creutzfeldt - Jacob Disease (CJD) Transmission During High Risk Surgical Procedures(“dorsal route ganglia” amended to read "dorsal root ganglia" - updated 20 March 07)19 March 2007 (revised 20 March 2007)5 September 2022
SN:004/07 Safety Notice Amber Shower Curtain and Curtain Tracks in Mental Health Facilities 28 March 20075 September 2022
SI:001/09 Safety Information Green Drager Oxylog 2000 Transport Ventilator8 January 20095 September 2022
SA:001/09 Safety Alert Red PEEP Valve, Expiration Diverter Assembly 13 February 20095 September 2022
SA:003/09 Safety Alert Red Draeger Medical Babylog 8000 Plus Neonatal Ventilator26 June 20095 September 2022
SN:014/09 Safety Notice Amber Retained or Broken Orthopaedic Surgical Equipment in Patients 9 July 20095 September 2022
SA:008/11 Safety Alert Red Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PJP) in transplant patients19 December 20115 September 2022
SI:002/12 Safety Information Green Measles Outbreak 31 August 20125 September 2022
SA:002/17 Safety Alert Red Insufflator Gas Connectors 12 January 20175 September 2022
SN:001/17 Safety Notice Amber Vaccine cold chain management in NSW Facilities 2 February 20175 September 2022
SN:011/17 Safety Notice Amber Disposable Ventilator Catheter Mounts Failure29 September 20175 September 2022
SI:001/18 Safety Information Green ABO Compatibility for Blood Products in an Emergency19 June 20185 September 2022
SN:015/18 Safety Notice Amber Parietex composite parastomal mesh hazard alert and recall9 November 20185 September 2022
SN:017/18 Safety Notice Amber Printing the correct ECG for patients Correction to Para 2: QLD Health27 November 20185 September 2022
SN:018/18 Safety Notice Amber Newborn Self-Inflating Bag (SIB) resuscitators27 November 20185 September 2022
SA:001/20 Safety Alert Red LIFEPAK® 15 Monitor/Defibrillator defect correction - 202014 January 20205 September 2022
SN:008/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Medtronic Covidien DAR™ airway products – Deviation in sterilisation processing29 April 20215 September 2022
SI:006/21 Safety Information Green Patient identity checks before administration of blood products21 June 20215 September 2022
SA:001/22 Safety Alert Red FOOD RECALL Elecare, Similac and Alimentum infant formula 21 Feburary 20225 September 2022
SA:004/22 Safety Alert Red Critical disruption to supply – tenecteplase (Metalyse®) injection3 August 20221 September 2022
SA:002/21 Safety Alert Red Urgent stock preservation of tocilizumab injections for COVID-19 patients required31 August 202129 July 2022
SA:001/21 Safety Alert Red Critical disruption to the supply of tocilizumab 9 August 202129 July 2022
SN:008/20 Safety Notice (Amber) Illicit supply of counterfeit alprazolam (Updated)9 September 202028 July 2022
SN:015/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Philips Sound Abatement Foam on selected sleep and respiratory devices – Product Defect Correction 5 July 202127 July 2022
SA:003/22 Safety Alert Red Critical disruption to supply - Non-ionic iodinated contrast media agents17 May 202218 July 2022
SN:001/22 Safety Notice (Amber) Avoiding thrombophlebitis with intravenous amiodarone4 March 202218 July 2022
SN:024/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Ensuring the safe and appropriate use of casirivimab and imdevimab7 December 202113 July 2022
SN:020/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Remdesivir 100mg injection –disruption to supply9 September 202113 July 2022
SN:004/22 Safety Notice (Amber) ‘Sterile Theatre Pack’ formulations of lignocaine (lidocaine) with adrenaline (epinephrine) and bupivacaine with adrenaline (epinephrine) injection disruption to supply13 May 202207 June 2022
SN:004/17 Safety Notice Amber Infection post cardiopulmonary bypass associated with heater-cooler devices (Supersedes SN:007/16)3 March 201723 May 2022
SN:001/16 Safety Notice Amber Changes to Medicine Ingredient Names - April 2016 to April 2020 9 May 20164 May 2022
SI:003/09 Safety Information Green Varenicline (CHAMPIX)-Serious Psychiatric Side Effects29 May 20094 May 2022
SN:004/08 Safety Notice Amber Oxycodone (Revised) Poster: Solid Oral Morphine and Oxycodone Products for Pain Relief16 May 20084 May 2022
SA:002/14 Safety Alert Red Potential bacterial contamination of propofol Update: Quarantine of Provive and Sandoz propofol all sizes and batches lifted2 May 2014, 15 July 201410 March 2022
SI:001/06 Safety Information Green Alaris SE pumps recall, Filshie Clip System, peanut allergies, Bisphosphonates medications8 September 2006 (revised 23 March 2007)9 March 2022
SN:005/06 Safety Notice Amber Safe Use of Fentanyl Skin Patches23 Octobter 2006 (revised 22 February 2007)9 March 2022
SN:003/13 Safety Notice Amber Voluven and Volulyte (hydroxyethyl starch)5 September 20139 March 2022
SA:001/17 Safety Alert Red HYDROmorphone: High-risk medicine (Supersedes SA:004/11 and SN:011/10)10 January 20179 March 2022
SN:010/19 Safety Notice Amber Heparin sodium injection 5000 units/0.2mL - disruption to supply5 August 20199 March 2022
SN:011/19 Safety Notice (Amber) Benzylpenicillin injection – disruption to supply14 August 20199 March 2022
SN:014/19 Safety Notice (Amber) Ranitidine – Product Recall4 October 2019 9 March 2022
SN:009/16 Safety Notice Amber Avoiding thrombophlebitis with intravenous amiodarone(Supersedes Safety Notice 003/09 issued on 11 February 2009)

29 September 2016 (revised 10 February 2017)

3 March 2022
SN:003/09 Safety Notice Amber Intravenous Amiodarone11 February 20099 February 2017
SN:008/09 Safety Notice Amber Insertion of intraocular lensRecommended intraocular lens insertion process(To be read in conjunction with SN: 008/09)31 March 20094 January 2022
SA:003/17 Safety Alert Red Infection from contaminated ultrasound gel 12 May 20174 January 2022
SA:001/18 Safety Alert Red Vaccine storage and cold chain management9 February 20184 January 2022
SN:009/09 Safety Notice Amber Acute Coronary Syndrome 28 April 20094 January 2022
SA:002/09 Safety Alert Red Guidewire Alert16 June 20094 January 2022
SN:018/09 Safety Notice Amber Reducing Incidents Involving Tracheostomy Tube CareTo be read in conjunction with SN: 018/09PD2006-098 - Tracheostomy - Unavoidable early (<72 hours) Tracheostomy Tube change16 September 20094 January 2022
SA:006/09 Safety Alert Red Emergency/ Arrest Buttons 4 November 20094 January 2022
SA:001/10 Safety Alert Red RECALL of Unomedical - Endotracheal Tubes8 January 20104 January 2022
SA:002/10 Safety Alert Red RECALL of Breathing Systems with Intersurgical #1986 Connector13 January 20104 January 2022
SN:004/10 Safety Notice Amber Important Changes to Medical Gas Cylinders(Superseded by Safety Notice 010/16 issued on 10 October 2016) 22 April 20104 January 2022
SI:003/13 Safety Information Green 25l-NBOMe Potent hallucinogenic substance in NSW 4 December 2013 (revised 19 December 2013)4 January 2022
SN:004/14 Safety Notice Amber Removal of Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD) 12 August 20144 January 2022
SN:008/16 Safety Notice Amber Comfort impregnated cloth topical skin products: potential for bacterial contamination 20 September 20164 January 2022
SN:011/16 Safety Notice Amber Povidone Iodine for pre-operative antisepsis – Disruption to supply 8 November 2016 (revised 21 November 2016)4 January 2022
SN:013/16 Safety Notice Amber Implantable cardiac defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator devices 18 November 20164 January 2022
SN:004/19 Safety Notice (Amber) JJM Intraluminal Proximate Circular Stapler (ILS)4 April 2019 4 January 2022
SN:020/18 Safety Notice Amber Salem Sump Nasogastric Tube Shortage14 December 20184 January 2022
SN:013/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Changes to COVID-19 vaccine access and indications (updated)1 July 202116 November 2021
SA:003/06 Safety Alert Red Ultravist-370 4 August 20063 November 2021
SN:001/06 Safety Notice Amber Guidant Implantable Pacemakers 9 February 20063 November 2021
SN:002/06 Safety Notice Amber Cleaning of flexible endoscopes (reprocessing)(Web address for Infection Control Policy updated on 26 February 2007)September 2006 (revised 26 February 2007)3 November 2021
SA:003/07 Safety Alert Red Medtronic SynchroMed® EL Implantable Pump - Neurological drug delivery pumps12 September 20073 November 2021
SI:001/07 Safety Information Green Alcohol-Based Hand Cleansers and Fire(Has been superseded by Safety Information SI: 001/11)27 June 20073 November 2021
SN:008/07 Safety Notice Amber Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring(Has been superseded by Safety Notice SA:004/07)8 May 20073 November 2021
SA:002/07 Safety Alert Red Communication Systems9 May 20073 November 2021
SA:001/07 Safety Alert Red Fine Bore Nasogastric Feeding Tubes 3 May 20073 November 2021
SN:013/07 Safety Notice Amber Extravasation of IV fluids: Care of the cannula site in neonates and children 21 September 20073 November 2021
SA:004/07 Safety Alert Red Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring(Supersedes Safety Notice SN:008/07)4 October 20073 November 2021
SN:002/08 Safety Notice Amber Pulmonary Embolism: Diagnosis in Young People 29 January 20083 November 2021
SA:001/08 Safety Alert Red Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Lines 10 October 20083 November 2021
SA:002/08 Safety Alert Red Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Line - Arrow 3 FG Brand(Suspension lifted 24 Dec 08)13 October 20083 November 2021
SA:002/08 Safety Alert Red Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Lines(Supersedes Safety Alert SA:001/08)13 October 20083 November 2021
SI:003/08 Safety Information Green Whooping Cough 3 December 20083 November 2021
SN:012/08 Safety Notice Amber Autonomic Dysreflexia16 December 20083 November 2021
SN:007/09 Safety Notice Amber Nasogastric Feeding Tubes for Infants and Children(Revised)27 March 20093 November 2021
SN:014/10 Safety Notice Amber Autonomic Dysreflexia(Supersedes Safety Notice 014/10 issued on 26 October 2010)1 November 20103 November 2021
SI:001/11 Safety Information Green Safe Use of Alcohol Based Skin Preparations for Surgical and Anaesthetic Procedures(Supersedes Safety Information SI: 001/07 issued on 27 June 2007)7 October 20113 November 2021
SA:001/12 Safety Alert Red Product Recall CSL Human Albumin 08 March 20123 November 2021
SA:002/12 Safety Alert Red Product Recall - CSL Human Albumin - Batches Released from Quarantine (Albumex 4, Albumex 20)15 Mar 20123 November 2021
SA:001/16 Safety Alert Red Product Recall Catheters with Beacon Tip Technology 6 May 20163 November 2021
SN:005/17 Safety Notice Amber Povidone-Iodine (PVI) Use in NSW Hospitals19 April 201719 August 2021
SN:004/21 Safety Notice Amber Identification of Post-Injection Syndrome Olanzapine Pamoate Long Acting Injection2 March 20219 August 2021
SA:001/19 Safety Alert Red enFlow Fluid Warmers - Risk of Aluminium toxicity13 March 20197 July 2021
SN:019/09 Safety Notice Amber Managing Pigtail Drains Safely 8 October 20097 July 2021
SN:011/21 Safety Notice (Amber) Changes to COVID-19 vaccine indications23 May 20211 July 2021
SN:003/17 Safety Notice Amber Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tablets - disruption to supply(Supersedes SN:002/16) 8 February 201720 May 2021
SA:004/17 Safety Alert Red HYDROmorphone (high-risk medicine): Changes to Dilaudid® injectable preparations28 July 201720 May 2021
SN:002/17 Safety Notice Amber Identification of Post-Injection Syndrome Olanzapine Pamoate Long Acting Injection8 February 20172 March 2021
SN:021/18 Safety Notice Amber Discontinuation of nifedipine (twice daily products) and patient safety risks with alternative18 December 201818 January 2021
SN:007/20 Safety Notice Amber Illicit supply of counterfeit alprazolam16 July 20209 September 2020
SN:006/19 Safety Notice Amber Fentanyl 100 microg/2 mL injection – disruption to supply15 April 201930 July 2020
SN:005/19 Safety Notice Amber Lignocaine with adrenaline 1:200,000 injections – Disruption to supply and risk of patient harm8 April 201930 July 2020
SN:002/19 Safety Notice Amber Morphine sulfate 30mg/ml injection - disruption to supply(Supersedes SN:007/18)15 February 201930 July 2020
SN:001/19 Safety Notice Amber Thiopental injection (Pentothal®) disruption to supply17 January 201930 July 2020
SN:016/18 Safety Notice Amber Abnormalities with Suboxone 2/0.5 mg film20 November 201830 July 2020
SN:011/18 Safety Notice Amber New formulation: Phenytoin (Dilantin®) capsules15 August 201830 July 2020
SI:003/11 Safety Information Green Safe Storage of Accountable Medicines 29 November 201130 July 2020
SA:005/09 Safety Alert Red Relenza (zanamivir) Inhalation Powder Safety Advisory21 October 200930 July 2020
SA:001/06 Safety Alert Red Baxter Infusion Pumps 8 February 200630 July 2020
SI:003/14 Safety Information Green The Risk of Toxicity from Topical Anaesthetic Products 18 September 201422 May 2020
SN:013/11 Safety Alert Red Management of medication for patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) 7 November 201110 March 2020
SN:001/18 Safety Notice Amber Midazolam injection 5 mg/5 mL shortage and risk of error 5 January 20188 July 2019
SN:012/17 Safety Notice Amber Intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam – Disruption to supply20 October 20178 July 2019
SN:008/17 Safety Notice Amber DILAUDID® (HYDROmorphone) Oral Liquid 1 mg/mL – Disruption to Supply6 June 20178 July 2019
SN:006/17 Safety Notice Amber Dantrium (dantrolene sodium) Powder for Injection vials - Disruption to Supply5 April 20178 July 2019
SN:014/16 Safety Notice Amber Melphalan powder for intravenous infusion - Disruption to supply15 December 20168 July 2019
SN:012/16 Safety Notice Amber Aciclovir intravenous infusion preparations – Disruption to supply14 November 2016 (revised 13 December 2016) 8 July 2019
SA:002/16 Safety Alert Red Vancomycin Intravenous preparations – Disruption to supply8 December 2016 (revised 20 December 2016)8 July 2019
SN:001/15 Safety Notice Amber Suxamethonium Chloride Injection BP 100mg in 2ml - Disruption to Supply11 March 20158 July 2019
SN:002/14 Safety Notice Amber Newer Oral Anticoagulants (Update) 24 March 20148 July 2019
SI:002/14 Safety Information Green PROPOFOL - importance of aseptic technique and safe administration practices 26 August 20148 July 2019
SN:001/12 Safety Notice Amber Morphine sulfate injection 10mg/mL ampoules supply changes and toxicity issues17 December 20128 July 2019
SN:014/11 Safety Notice Amber Newer Oral Anticoagulants 9 November 20118 July 2019
SN:009/17 Safety Notice Amber High Concentration Insulin Products5 September 201724 June 2019
SN:007/18 Safety Notice Amber Morphine sulfate 5 mg/1 mL and 10 mg/1 mL injection shortages(Supersedes SN:004/18)25 May 201815 February 2019
SN:014/18 Safety Notice Amber Medical Gas Adaptor29 October 20181 November 2018
SN:004/18 Safety Notice Amber Morphine sulfate injection 5 mg/1 mL shortage and risk of error22 February 201825 February 2018
SN:007/17 Safety Notice Amber Etoposide preparations - Disruption to Supply2 May 201729 November 17
SA:003/16 Safety Alert Red Intravenous Metronidazole – Disruption to supply9 December 201624 February 2017
SN:007/16 Safety Notice Amber Surgical site infections associated with heater cooler devices4 August 20167 March 2017
SN:006/16 Safety Notice Amber Etopophos (etoposide phosphate) powder for injection vials and Vepesid (etoposide) capsules - Disruption to Supply27 July 20162 May 2017
SN:002/16 Safety Notice Amber Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tablets 3 June 20168 February 2017
SN:003/14 Safety Notice Amber Potassium Chloride BP 10mmol/10mL ampoules disruption to supplyNote: disruption to supply extended.4 August 201421 December 2016
SN:004/13 Safety Notice Amber Sodium BiCarbonate intravenous infusion BP 8.4% 100ml shortage4 September 201321 December 2016
SA:001/13 Safety Alert Red Risks associated with WockhardtTM morphine sulfate injection 10mg/mL (preserved) ampoules1 May 201321 December 2016
SA:005/12 Safety Alert Red Recall Ventolin & Asmol Inhalers - 10 batches 24 December 201221 December 2016
SN:011/11 Safety Notice Amber Recall of activated Drotrecogin alfa (Xigris)26 October 201121 December 2016
SN:007/11 Safety Notice Amber BenPen™ (Benzylpenicillin)28 September 201121 December 2016
SA:007/11 Safety Alert Red Caelyx®pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 20mg and 50mg5 December 201121 December 2016
SA:006/11 Safety Alert Red Supply of Minijet® injections7 October 201121 December 2016
SA:004/11 Safety Alert Red HYDROmorphone: High-risk analgesic 21 April 201110 January 2017
SA:003/11 Safety Alert Red Pneumovax ®23 Injection Advice against Revaccination18 April 201121 December 2016
SA:002/11 Safety Alert Red Recall of Pneumovax ®23 Injection (pneumococcal polyvalent, MSD 0.5ml Vial AUST R 10507; CSL code 0786100110 pack vials) Batch No. N3336, expiry date 22 June 201125 March 201121 December 2016
SN:011/10 Safety Notice Amber Medication Incidents Involving Hydromorphone (Opioid)(To be read in conjunction with SA:004/11)14 September 2010 (revised 16 September 2010)10 January 2017
SA:006/10 Safety Alert Red Recall of Sitaxentan (Thelin)10 December 201021 December 2016
SA:005/10 Safety Alert Red Extreme Caution - Esmolol hydrochloride 2500mg in 10ml for injection25 June 201021 December 2016
SA:007/09 Safety Alert Red Recall of Cefazolin Sandoz BATCH AH 5067 6 November 200921 December 2016
SA:004/09 Safety Alert Red New Version of Adult National Inpatient Medication Chart [NIMC] - SMR140 16 September 200921 December 2016
SN:008/08 Safety Notice Amber Clexane16 May 200821 December 2016
SI:002/08 Safety Information Green Zolpidem (“Stilnox”)19 June 20088 February 2018
SI:001/08 Safety Information Green Paracetamol4 June 20088 February 2018
SN:006/07 Safety Notice Amber Warfarin (revised) 12 April 2007(revised 18 January 2008)8 February 2018
SA:004/06 Safety Alert Red Safe Use of Vincristine8 February 20068 February 2018


Current as at: Tuesday 23 May 2023
Contact page owner: Strategic Communications and Engagement