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Corrective and preventive action (CAPA or simply corrective action) consists of improvements to an organization's processes taken to eliminate causes of non-conformities or other undesirable situations.
The key thing about the CAPA process is that there are a lot of different processes that feed into it. You need to be diligent, but also apply scrutiny to what does and doesn’t require CAPA. Remember, it should be reserved for those systemic issues - every issue is not a CAPA!
Once you have something that’s worthy of a CAPA, here are the steps:
The food and drug administration(FDA) quality system requirements for all medical device companies are documented in the federal code of regulations, under 21 CFR part 820.
In 1990, the FDA mandated the design history file (DHF) as part of the safe medical devices act. It contains all of the product development documentation pertaining to a finished medical device. The DHF was the last step in the design controls process mandated by the FDA in 21 CFR Part 820.
The FDA’s mandate for quality systems states that each medical device company must establish and maintain a quality system that meets the requirements of its regulations and is appropriate for the medical device they manufacture. Differently classified medical devices may have different requirements under the quality system guidelines. For example, Class I medical devices (with some exceptions) are exempt from the design controls portion of the regulations, but in general, the guidelines must be satisfied to permit the sale of a medical device within the United States.
Medical device companies should consider the quality system regulations as their “key to admission” into the medical devices marketplace.
Subsection j) of 21 CFR part 820 says:
Design history file. Each manufacturer shall establish and maintain a DHF for each type of device. The DHF shall contain or reference the records necessary to demonstrate that the design was developed in accordance with the approved design plan and the requirements of this part.”
DHF is primarily an organizational tool meant to show that the design controls process was properly followed and documented throughout product development while the majority of the medical device compliance regulations enforce the establishment of policies and procedures for enforcing quality standards. Design controls are one of the core processes of the overall quality management system (QMS) mandate, and the presence, completeness, and accuracy of your DHF go a long way towards helping you pass your next FDA audit.
Here are some key interpretations of the DHF guidance that medical device companies should take note of:
Below, we’ve listed the steps of the design controls process and what documents should be included with each step:
This is the second part of a set of three articles. For more information, check https://medium.com/@kaiyan_medical/part-1-3-the-design-history-file-d681a7945968 with the introduction to DHF.
The device master record (DMR) is the compilation that contains all the information and specifications needed to produce a medical device from scratch to finish. Should include the instructions for all manufacturing processes, drawings, documented specifications, and, packaging requirements. While the device history record makes reference to specific lots, units, or batches of product, the DMR contains specifications for producing an individual device.
The FDA regulations for DMR appear in 21 CFR Part 820.181, under subpart M which handles record-keeping requirements for medical device companies.
When the FDA audits your medical device company, you will be expected to produce a DMR that complies with 21 CFR Part 820.181. Here’s the full text of that part for reference:
Each manufacturer shall maintain device master records (DMR’s). Each manufacturer shall ensure that each DMR is prepared and approved in accordance with 820.40. The DMR for each type of device shall include, or refer to the location of, the following information:
a) Device specifications including appropriate drawings, composition, formulation, component specifications, and software specifications;
b) Production process specifications including the appropriate equipment specifications, production methods, production procedures, and production environment specifications;
c) Quality assurance procedures and specifications including acceptance criteria and the quality assurance equipment to be used;
d) Packaging and labeling specifications, including methods and processes used; and
e) Installation, maintenance, and servicing procedures and methods.
The main purpose of the DMR is to centralize a record of the production process in a way that distinguishes it from the design process. A product engineer might design a silicone part for a medical device and include it in the design outputs portion of the design history file, but the DMR would also include specific instructions for manufacturing the part, including what mold to use, equipment specifications and production methods.
The good news is that the FDA requires you to only reference the mandated items, not duplicate them. If you’ve been organized in creating your DHF, you’ll be able to easily reference that location in your DMR.
The difference between the DHF and the DMR is about design vs device. The design history file is focused on capturing the history of the design and ensuring that it was done according to FDA regulation. The device master record is focused on building the device and ensuring that all necessary items are included to build, test, package, and service it.
This is the last part of a set of three articles. For more information, check https://medium.com/@kaiyan_medical/part-1-3-the-design-history-file-d681a7945968 with the introduction to DHF and https://medium.com/@kaiyan_medical/part-2-3-the-design-master-record-c8348c1e029a for the introduction to DMR.
The establishment of device history records (DHR) is one of the last steps in the compliance process for medical devices. It falls under subpart M of 21 CFR Part 820, which deals with general record-keeping requirements for medical device companies. The FDA mandates that all medical device companies should have the documentation related to manufacturing and tracking according to the information in the device master record.
Manufacturers are subject to this part whether they keep records on paper, or use web-based software. The DHR serves as a production record for medical devices that you manufacture. The entries into this document must include acceptance records for individual units or batches of product, along with product counts, labels, and any unique product identifiers that have been applied.
Most sections of 21 CFR Part 820 refer to establishing overall quality processes that affect your product design and manufacturing, but the DHR is different in that it is applied to each batch of products that you produce.
Each manufacturer shall maintain device history records (DHR’s). Each manufacturer shall establish and maintain procedures to ensure that DHR’s for each batch, lot, or unit are maintained to demonstrate that the device is manufactured in accordance with the DMR and the requirements of this part. The DHR shall include, or refer to the location of, the following information:
(a) The dates of manufacture;
(b) The quantity manufactured;
© The quantity released for distribution;
(d) The acceptance records which demonstrate the device is manufactured in accordance with the DMR;
(e) The primary identification label and labeling used for each production unit; and
(f) Any unique device identifier (UDI) or universal product code (UPC), and any other device identification(s) and control number(s) used.
The DHR mandate requires that new batches of products are tested to ensure that they meet the product specifications established in the device master record. The mandate also ensures that batches of products are correctly labeled and assigned identification numbers. This creates traceability throughout your supply chain, enabling you to better identify sources of error in case any non-conformance issues arise with your products.
