# Complaint Handling SOP

> Use this template to procedure for receiving and investigating device complaints.

## Template Metadata

| Field | Details |
|-------|---------|
| Category | Medical Devices |
| Owner | [Team or owner] |
| Version | [Version number] |
| Effective Date | [Date] |
| Review Cycle | [Monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Event-based] |
| Status | [Draft / In Review / Approved] |

## Purpose

State the objective for consistent complaint intake, investigation, reporting, and closure.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## Scope

Define covered products, markets, complaint sources, and exclusions.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## Definitions

Define complaint, adverse event, reportable event, malfunction, and serious injury.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## Complaint Intake

Describe required intake fields, timelines, sample return handling, and acknowledgement.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## Investigation

Define triage, risk assessment, device history review, returned product analysis, and root cause documentation.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## MDR/Vigilance Assessment

Explain decision process, reportability timelines, and regulatory review requirements.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## Closure and Trending

Describe closure criteria, customer response, CAPA escalation, and periodic trend review. Use procedural language with responsibilities and records clearly named.

| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|------|---------|-------|--------|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |

### Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

## Review and Signoff

Document review conclusions, approvals, unresolved items, and next review date.

| Role | Name | Date | Notes |
|------|------|------|-------|
| Preparer | [Name] | [Date] | [Notes] |
| Reviewer | [Name] | [Date] | [Notes] |
| Approver | [Name] | [Date] | [Notes] |