New Mike Hurst Article Available at Expert411.com Examines How to Prevent Infection from IV Therapy Complications, Including Nursing Perspective
Healthcare-associated infections are a staggering cause of increased provider costs and morbidity in the United States; and intravenous therapy complications are a major contributor to bloodstream infections. A new Mike Hurst-bylined article is now posted at the “Expert Information for Journalists” site about this topic. Hurst reviews the problem and gives perspective to what nurses surveyed know and believe about IV therapy complications.
Denver, CO, April 24, 2008 --(PR.com)-- A new article bylined by pharmacist Mike Hurst, now posted at the “Expert Information for Journalist” site – http://expert411.com/_wsn/page3.html – covers the topic of ‘Preventing Infection from IV Therapy Complications.’ Hurst reviews the problem and gives perspective to what nurses surveyed on the topic know and believe about IV therapy complications.
The Problem:
Healthcare-associated infections are a staggering cause of increased provider costs and morbidity in the United States. Intravenous therapy complications are a major contributor to bloodstream infections, and even deaths. Among the many root causes of infection through IV therapy is the simple issue of contamination caused when the IV system is not kept closed.
Facts To Consider:
* Catheter-related infections are preventable, with simple and cost-effective changes.
* Studies in multi-center and single institution locations have demonstrated catheter-associated bloodstream infection reductions greater than 65% by using fundamental infection control procedures.
* One of the most basic ways to prevent infection is not to allow the end of an IV tubeset to become contaminated by leaving the closed system open.
What Nurses Think:
* Sixty-two percent of nurses surveyed reported that they disconnect primary infusions from the catheter hub for periods ranging from a few minutes to unlimited times. Surprisingly, the survey found that only a few nurses felt that this practice should never be done.
* 76.2% of nursing survey respondents did not believe that their institution even had a policy on handling open set ends.
* Nurses were almost unanimous in agreeing that an uncapped and disconnected set should be discarded and replaced with a new set.
A New Solution:
While ordinary syringe tip caps have been one solution, Baxa Corporation has developed a unique new device, the PadLock® Set Saver, that acts as an aseptic docking station for open tubing ends, and facilitates best practice. Significant laboratory testing has been completed that shows the PadLock to be an easy and effective method to store open tube set ends and prevent the opportunity for infection.
More About PadLock SetSaver
The PadLock device is designed to promote best practice for aseptic IV administration set disconnections, preventing touch contamination and securing the IV line in between drug administrations. The Set Saver also eliminates the use of IV administration set caps, which are a known choking hazard. The PadLock Set Saver provides temporary aseptic storage of the IV administration line when disconnected from the patient, replacing the need for disposable caps to maintain aseptic procedure.
“Through independent testing, the PadLock Set Saver proved effective in preventing microbial contamination of the IV administration set fluid path,” states Megan Kleckner, Product Manager. “It also keeps supplies at the bedside, which is very convenient for nurses.” PadLock minimizes the need to replace administration sets due to improper capping and potential contamination, potentially saving hospitals thousands of dollars per year in reduced IV complications and product replacements.
For more information visit: http://www.baxa.com/padlock.
About Baxa Corporation
Baxa, a customer-focused medical device company, provides innovative, solution-based technologies for medication handling and delivery. Its systems and devices promote the safe and efficient preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of medications. Key products include the PadLock® Set Saver, Rapid-Fill™ Automated Syringe Fillers, Exacta-Med® Oral Dispensers, MicroFuse® Syringe Infusers, Repeater™ Pharmacy Pumps, and Exacta-Mix™ and MicroMacro™ Multi-Source Automated Compounders; used worldwide in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Privately held, Baxa Corporation has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada and the United Kingdom; direct representation in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.baxa.com
###
Contacts:
Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing
Baxa Corporation: 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157
Email: marian.robinson@baxa.com
http://www.baxa.com
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely Public Relations
303.984.9801, 303.669.3558
Email: maggie@absolutelypr.com
http://www.absolutelypr.com
The Problem:
Healthcare-associated infections are a staggering cause of increased provider costs and morbidity in the United States. Intravenous therapy complications are a major contributor to bloodstream infections, and even deaths. Among the many root causes of infection through IV therapy is the simple issue of contamination caused when the IV system is not kept closed.
Facts To Consider:
* Catheter-related infections are preventable, with simple and cost-effective changes.
* Studies in multi-center and single institution locations have demonstrated catheter-associated bloodstream infection reductions greater than 65% by using fundamental infection control procedures.
* One of the most basic ways to prevent infection is not to allow the end of an IV tubeset to become contaminated by leaving the closed system open.
What Nurses Think:
* Sixty-two percent of nurses surveyed reported that they disconnect primary infusions from the catheter hub for periods ranging from a few minutes to unlimited times. Surprisingly, the survey found that only a few nurses felt that this practice should never be done.
* 76.2% of nursing survey respondents did not believe that their institution even had a policy on handling open set ends.
* Nurses were almost unanimous in agreeing that an uncapped and disconnected set should be discarded and replaced with a new set.
A New Solution:
While ordinary syringe tip caps have been one solution, Baxa Corporation has developed a unique new device, the PadLock® Set Saver, that acts as an aseptic docking station for open tubing ends, and facilitates best practice. Significant laboratory testing has been completed that shows the PadLock to be an easy and effective method to store open tube set ends and prevent the opportunity for infection.
More About PadLock SetSaver
The PadLock device is designed to promote best practice for aseptic IV administration set disconnections, preventing touch contamination and securing the IV line in between drug administrations. The Set Saver also eliminates the use of IV administration set caps, which are a known choking hazard. The PadLock Set Saver provides temporary aseptic storage of the IV administration line when disconnected from the patient, replacing the need for disposable caps to maintain aseptic procedure.
“Through independent testing, the PadLock Set Saver proved effective in preventing microbial contamination of the IV administration set fluid path,” states Megan Kleckner, Product Manager. “It also keeps supplies at the bedside, which is very convenient for nurses.” PadLock minimizes the need to replace administration sets due to improper capping and potential contamination, potentially saving hospitals thousands of dollars per year in reduced IV complications and product replacements.
For more information visit: http://www.baxa.com/padlock.
About Baxa Corporation
Baxa, a customer-focused medical device company, provides innovative, solution-based technologies for medication handling and delivery. Its systems and devices promote the safe and efficient preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of medications. Key products include the PadLock® Set Saver, Rapid-Fill™ Automated Syringe Fillers, Exacta-Med® Oral Dispensers, MicroFuse® Syringe Infusers, Repeater™ Pharmacy Pumps, and Exacta-Mix™ and MicroMacro™ Multi-Source Automated Compounders; used worldwide in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Privately held, Baxa Corporation has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada and the United Kingdom; direct representation in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.baxa.com
###
Contacts:
Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing
Baxa Corporation: 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157
Email: marian.robinson@baxa.com
http://www.baxa.com
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely Public Relations
303.984.9801, 303.669.3558
Email: maggie@absolutelypr.com
http://www.absolutelypr.com
Contact
Baxa Corporation
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR
303.984.9801 or 303.669.3558
http://www.baxa.com
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR
303.984.9801 or 303.669.3558
http://www.baxa.com
Contact
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