8-K

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934



        Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): August 11, 2004


                           Commission File No. 0-11178
                                               -------


                           UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
                           ---------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                UTAH                                      87-0342734
   -------------------------------                   ------------------
   (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)


                               7043 South 300 West
                               Midvale, Utah 84047
                               -------------------
                     Address of principal executive offices


Registrant's telephone number:      (801) 566-1200
                                    --------------





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                              ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

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On August 11, 2004, Utah Medical Products, Inc. issued a press release comprised
of a letter from Chairman and CEO Kevin L. Cornwell to UTMD's customers
regarding the current FDA situation. A copy of the press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1


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                                   SIGNATURES

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  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchanges Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                        UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
                                        REGISTRANT


Date:         8/12/2004                 By:      /s/ Kevin L. Cornwell
      ------------------------              --------------------------
                                            Kevin L. Cornwell
                                            CEO



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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Index
Number         Description
- ------         -----------

99.1           Press release issued August 11, 2004: Utah Medical Products, Inc.
               Sends Letter to Its Customers.

EX-99.1

                                  EXHIBIT 99.1

Salt Lake City, Utah - The following letter is being sent to Utah Medical
Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTMD) customers from Chairman and CEO Kevin Cornwell:

I want to express some frank words about Utah Medical Products, Inc.'s (UTMD's)
current experience with the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), and some
explanation regarding a dispute that is now public.

All medical device manufacturers are subject to regulation by the Food and Drug
Administration. This includes inspection of manufacturing facilities by FDA
employees, most of whom have never had a responsibility to manufacture a device
or experience in the manufacturing of a device. Everyone; manufacturers,
clinical users and patients; benefit from an agency that is competent and
strong.

Since 2001, UTMD has been subject to repeated and extensive inspection by these
FDA employees. While their observations often represent unqualified opinions
which are not backed by law or regulation, at no time has there ever been any
evidence to support a concern about either the safety or effectiveness of our
devices. Although we have consistently responded comprehensively in writing to
inspectors' observations, FDA supervisory and management personnel have refused
for nearly three (3) years to engage in dialogue with UTMD that would identify a
violation of the Quality System Regulation (QSR), also known as GMPs (Good
Manufacturing Practices).

A variety of independent experts have been retained by UTMD to evaluate our
manufacturing practices. They have concluded that UTMD does comply with a
reasonable interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, including the QSR.
UTMD is comforted by this fact, and welcomes the opportunity presented by the
recent complaint filed by the FDA to confirm through a trial process what our
reputation over twenty-five (25) years has established; namely, that clinician
users can rely on the quality and performance of UTMD's devices. Despite the FDA
publicized complaint, there is no restriction placed on UTMD to limit
manufacture or distribution of any of its devices.

Ironically, a key distinction of UTMD's products proven clinically over the
years is that our quality products help reduce risk. The confidence that you
have displayed in our devices is sincerely appreciated. I assure you that UTMD
neither has nor will it diminish its commitment to manufacture devices of the
greatest quality. Please reflect on your personal experience using our products,
and continue to give us your support.

In summary,

* There are no restrictions limiting your use of UTMD's products. There are no
restrictions limiting our manufacture or distribution of products.

* FDA claims have to be formally adjudicated. UTMD is innocent until proven
otherwise. We regret it if the FDA's public statements give an unfair
implication of guilt.

* There has never been, nor is there now, an FDA allegation that UTMD's products
are not safe and effective.


Sincerely,

Kevin L. Cornwell

Chairman and CEO