Business

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting a 510K to the FDA

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2022

The FDA deserves credit for ensuring high patient safety standards. However, there is no ignoring the hassle medical device manufacturers go through when submitting 510K applications. They spend hours collecting documents and data from multiple departments only to face a 36% prospect of having their application rejected.

While there is no formula to always getting your submissions cleared by the FDA, you can increase your chances of approval and avoid delivery delays and unnecessary stoppages by ironing out things on your end. Here are some of the most common mistakes manufacturers make that you can easily avoid:

1. Losing track of your product’s regulatory history

Your company ought to know its product’s regulatory history in the U.S., since that’s what 510Ks are based on. Unfortunately for most companies, poor data-keeping leads to loss of important information resulting in a bitter clash with the FDA. No matter the history of your product, it’s good to keep data where you can access it and not likely to lose it. A dedicated clinical metadata repository software tool, such as Formedix Ryze can help you take control of the key challenges associated with keeping and organizing data.

2. Using incorrect FDA templates

Up in the FDA checklist is the correct use of their templates. The agency requires that each section of all 510K submissions be based on an FDA-issued template. Most manufacturers remember this but then forget how rapidly the FDA updates these templates. While using an older template doesn’t automatically render your submission void, it increases your chances of leaving out some data, which you can’t get away with. For this reason, it’s good to confirm that the template on your hands is the latest issued by the FDA before drafting your application.

3. Data irregularity

The FDA requires that you be consistent with the information you provide if it appears multiple times in your application. If there is a discrepancy in your wording, your application will likely be flagged and even rejected. So while keeping your intent consistent, make a point of doing the same with your wording for the sake of your application’s approval.

4. Skipping sections

A typical 510K application form has 20 sections, some of which may not apply to your device. For most manufacturers, irrelevant sections include Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electrical Safety, Performance Testing and Proposed Labeling, Disclosure Statement or Financial Certification, and Class 3 Summary and Certification. If any of the sections don’t apply to you, it is required that you confirm it in writing.

5. Choosing an incorrect predicate (comparison) device

The FDA will treat your device like they did a previously cleared one, meaning you have to identify a device whose parameters match those of yours. Your predicate of choice should bear similarity in design, size, materials, packaging, indications for use, and other considerations, failure to which you will draw out the review process, and even risk rejection. For instance, if your device requires sterilization before use, while the predicate is supplied sterilized, the FDA will ask for more information before getting on with the review process.

6. Failing to comply with the Refusal to Accept provisions

Nearly 90 percent of all rejected submissions are tossed out before being reviewed by a human. This is because they don’t tick off the Refusal To Accept (RTA) checklist, which outlines across-the-board prerequisites. Meeting the RTA requirements simply means your device is worthy of an FDA review and has a realistic chance of being cleared.

7. Misunderstanding the point of a 510K submission

The 510 (k) has evolved quite remarkably over the years. Some time back, it was an endless series of paperwork submissions; now, it’s a streamlined affair that makes maximum use of mainstream contemporary technology. In all that, one thing remains the same: the purpose of the 510K, which is clearance through association or clearance for devices similar to other previously cleared devices.

Failure to understand that can have you wondering why the FDA is hard on you. As stated above, you should have a predicate device at the ready or even model your device on an existing one. That is not to say you should shy from being creative. However, if you want it easy with the FDA, you have to make it easy for them first.

Endnote

If you have been struggling to meet the requirements for a 510K clearance, you’re in good company. The process requires time, manpower, data, and a ton of resilience. It doesn’t have to be a hassle, though. By avoiding the above mistakes, you can massively simplify the process and speed up the review process.

Business

The Ultimate Guide to the Essential Social Skills in Business

Published

2 hours ago

May 30, 2023

Matthew Wiles

Effective communication and strong relationships are essential for success in the workplace. One factor that can greatly influence these qualities is emotional intelligence, often abbreviated as EQ. EQ refers to the ability to identify, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Research has shown that individuals with high levels of EQ are better equipped to handle stress, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with others (Chamorro-Premuzic & Sanger, 2016).

Research has consistently shown that emotional intelligence (EQ) is an important predictor of job performance and success in the workplace. EQ is comprised of a set of skills that allow individuals to recognize, understand, and regulate their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. In addition, individuals with high EQ are better able to communicate effectively, build relationships, and navigate complex social situations. As a result, they are often viewed as effective leaders and collaborators, and are more likely to achieve their personal and professional goals.

In fact, a number of studies have demonstrated the significant impact that EQ has on job performance and success. For example, one study of 85 upper-level managers found that those with higher EQ scores were rated as more effective leaders by their subordinates (Law, Wong, & Song, 2004). Another study of 151 employees found that those with higher EQ were more likely to be promoted within their organization over a five-year period (Carmeli, Brueller, & Dutton, 2009). These findings highlight the importance of EQ in the workplace and suggest that developing these skills can lead to significant benefits for both individuals and organizations.

According to a study conducted by TalentSmart, a leading provider of EQ assessments, EQ is responsible for 58% of success in all job types (Bradberry & Greaves, 2009). In contrast, IQ only accounts for about 4% of success in the workplace. This suggests that EQ is a crucial skill set for individuals in any professional field. Fortunately, EQ is a skill that can be developed and honed over time with practice and awareness.

There are several key components of EQ that are particularly important for success in the workplace. These include:

Self-Regulation: This refers to your capacity to recognize and control your emotions. Sometimes treating them when they arise may be necessary. Understanding how to manage your anger is essential. However, it can also cover how to control the feelings you’ll experience.

Self-Awareness: This implies recognizing and understanding your own feelings. Do noisy places make you nervous? Do other people talking over you make you angry? Knowing these truths about yourself shows that you are working on your self-awareness. Being conscious of yourself is necessary for this phase, which can be more complex than it sounds.

Socialization: This category focuses on your capacity to manage social interactions and direct relationships. It doesn’t entail dominating others but knowing how to work with others to achieve your goals. This could entail presenting your ideas to coworkers, leading a team, or resolving a personal disagreement.

Motivation: Strong motivators include external forces like money, status, or suffering. Internal motivation, however, plays a significant role in Goleman’s concept. By doing so, you demonstrate your ability to control your cause and initiate or continue initiatives of your own volition rather than in response to external demands.

Empathy: It’s equally critical to be sensitive to others’ feelings. This may entail learning to identify different emotional states in individuals — for example, can you tell the difference between someone at ease and someone anxious? — but it also requires comprehension of how other people may react to their current situation. Empathy is one of the essential traits in business and business leadership.

A thought leader in this space, Michael Ventura has built a career advising organizations on the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. In his book, Applied Empathy, Ventura highlights the value of empathy in business and provides strategies for developing and applying this skill set. With two decades of experience as a leader, facilitator, and educator, Ventura’s work has made impact in with prestigious institutions such as Princeton University and the United Nations as well as corporate clients such as Google and Nike.

Through his work, Ventura advises leaders to focus on the development of EQ in order to help individuals improve their communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, ultimately leading to greater success in the workplace. Experts like Ventura continue to support the growing body of research on the value of EQ in business, and the evidence that organizations who invest in the EQ of their teams help to create a more empathetic and successful professional environment.

And it’s worth noting that EQ isn’t just important for individual success in the workplace, but also for overall organizational success. A study by the Center for Creative Leadership found that EQ was a better predictor of success than IQ or technical skills in the workplace, and that teams with higher levels of EQ tend to be more effective and productive (Boyatzis, Goleman, & Rhee, 1999). By cultivating a culture of empathy and emotional intelligence, organizations can improve their overall performance and create a more positive work environment for their employees.

In conclusion, emotional intelligence is a crucial component of success in the workplace, and individuals and organizations alike should prioritize the development of these skills. The ones that do not only develop a leading edge in their category, but also become a meaningful place to work for their teams. And in today’s rapidly changing talent landscape, the retention of highly capable, emotionally intelligent leaders is one of the greatest keys to unlocking success.

References:

Boyatzis, R. E., Goleman, D., & Rhee, K. S. (1999). Clustering competence in emotional intelligence: Insights from the emotional competence inventory (ECI). In R. Bar-On & J. D. A. Parker (Eds.), Handbook of emotional intelligence (pp. 343-362). Jossey-Bass.

Bradberry, T., & Greaves, J. (2009). Emotional intelligence 2.0. TalentSmart.

Chamorro-Premuzic, T., & Sanger, M. N. (2016). Does employee happiness matter? Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 3(2), 168-191.