Complaint Handling for Japanese Medical Device Manufacturer

Project Statistics

  • RQMIS Project Team – one manager and 5 team members
  • 10,000+ complaints closed in 7 months
  • 109 Master Investigation Templates
  • 15 device families
  • 330 primary failure modes identified

From FDA Warning Letter to Operational Control

A North American division of a global Japanese medical device manufacturer engaged RQMIS to address serious deficiencies cited in an FDA Warning Letter—specifically related to complaint handling, delayed investigations, and failure to close complaints in a timely manner.

At the time of engagement, the situation was critical:

  • 10,000+ complaint backlog
  • Delayed investigations and closures
  • Increased regulatory scrutiny
  • Risk of further enforcement action

The client needed more than temporary support—they needed a scalable solution to regain control quickly and sustainably.

Why RQMIS Was Selected

Following a 45-day competitive evaluation against another consultancy, RQMIS was selected as the partner of choice based on our ability to deliver not just resources—but a repeatable, system-driven solution.

The RQMIS Approach

Rapid Deployment of a Specialized Team

RQMIS assembled a cross-functional team including:

  • Quality Assurance specialists
  • Regulatory experts
  • Technical writers
  • Operations analysts

Each team member brought deep experience in complaint handling and post-market surveillance regulations, enabling immediate impact.

Smarter Complaint Processing Through Data & Automation

We developed advanced tools that analyze complaint data using keyword-driven logic to:

  • Identify related complaints across datasets
  • Improve categorization accuracy and consistency
  • Accelerate triage and processing

This transformed complaint handling from a manual bottleneck into a structured, repeatable workflow.

Standardization at Scale

To eliminate inefficiencies and reduce investigation time, RQMIS developed:

  • 109 Master Investigation Templates
  • Covering 15 device families
  • Addressing 330 failure categories

These templates standardized:

  • Risk assessments
  • Severity and probability evaluations
  • Root cause investigation language

Result: significantly faster, more consistent complaint resolution with reduced need for rework.

The Results

In just 7 months, RQMIS delivered measurable, high-impact results:

  • 12,000+ complaints closed
  • Complete elimination of the assigned backlog
  • Improved speed, consistency, and compliance
  • Transition from crisis response to controlled operations

Lasting Impact

The value didn’t stop at backlog reduction.

The client adopted the tools and processes developed by RQMIS into their internal workflows, enabling:

  • More efficient ongoing complaint handling
  • Reduced dependency on external resources
  • Lower operational costs
  • A sustainable, audit-ready system

RQMIS transitioned into a strategic support role, providing expertise as needed while the client maintains day-to-day control.

What This Means for You

If you’re facing:

  • Complaint backlogs
  • FDA observations or Warning Letters
  • Inefficient or inconsistent investigation processes

RQMIS delivers more than short-term relief—we build scalable systems that restore control and keep you compliant long-term.

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