B. Braun Introduces Surecan Safety Huber Needle to Help Protect against Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Passive Design Assists in Reducing Rebound Effect Needlestick Injuries.

Health/Medical Writers

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2003

B. Braun Medical Inc. today introduced the passive Surecan(R) Safety Huber Needle Infusion Set, designed to eliminate the risk of rebound effect needlestick injuries that can cause exposure to bloodborne pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Huber needles pose a high risk of needlestick injury due to the rebound injuries that can occur when removing the needle from the IV port.(1) In addition, Huber needles pose a particular risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens since they are often used for venous access with AIDS/HIV patients.(2) According to the International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS), more than three-dozen U.S. healthcare workers a year contract HIV, two thousand workers a year become infected with hepatitis C, and four hundred contract hepatitis B as a result of sharps injuries. Even when infection does not occur, it can cost up to $3,000 to treat an injured health care worker with prophylactic drugs when they've had a high-risk exposure.(3)

"Rebound effect needlestick injuries, resulting from Huber needles, are one of the last serious issues in IV therapy to be addressed by new technology," said Melissa Leone, RN, BSN, Division Clinical Manager, Nursing, Apria Healthcare. "Since an injury sustained from a Huber needle during removal from an IV port carries a high risk of bloodborne contamination, it is important that technology has been developed to protect healthcare workers from this potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens."

The patented passive safety clip technology of the Surecan Safety Huber Needle is designed to minimize accidental needlesticks when accessing subcutaneously implanted ports. The stainless steel safety clip is designed to automatically shield the Huber needle tip as it is withdrawn from the base plate to eliminate the risk of rebound effect needlestick injuries. Compliance is virtually assured since the safety mechanism is automatically activated upon needle withdrawal.

"The Surecan Safety Huber Needle is the latest B. Braun technology to combat accidental needlestick injuries through a passive safety design," said Caroll H. Neubauer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B. Braun Medical Inc. "Passive design technology is one that automatically engages without the clinician needing to do anything other than normal protocol. It simplifies the process and helps ensure compliance to protect healthcare workers and their patients from exposure to dangerous bloodborne pathogens."

The Surecan Safety Huber Needle is offered with a wide range of Huber needle gauges and lengths. In addition, it is available with ULTRASITE(R) Needle-Free Valve Y-sites for needle-free Y-site medication injection or blood withdrawal using a simple luer connection.

About B. Braun

With more than 28,000 employees worldwide, B. Braun is a full line supplier of innovative healthcare products & programs designed to improve both patient and clinician safety. Through its People, Products, and Programs - "Working Together for Excellence in Safety(TM)" initiative, B. Braun promotes best practices and products for continuous improvement of safety.

Founded over 160 years ago, B. Braun is proud of its tradition and commitment to delivering safety products and programs with unmatched quality, superior technology, and cost-effectiveness, while maintaining environmental responsibility. For more information about B. Braun or its safety healthcare products, call 800-854-6851, or visit B. Braun at www.bbraunusa.com.

(1) International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS).

(2) EPINet Report: Injuries from Huber Needles, Advances in Exposure Prevention, Vol. 3, No. 6, 1998.

(3) Safer Needles, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL/CIO, CLC.