Excelsior Medical Launches SwabCap to Disinfect Catheter Luer Access Valves.Cap Helps Hospitals Comply With New Joint Commission Requirement NEPTUNE Neptune, in Roman religion and mythology Neptune, in Roman religion and mythology, god of water. He was presumably an indigenous god of fertility, but in later times he was identified with the Greek Poseidon, god of the sea. , N.J. -- Excelsior Medical, one of the leading manufacturers of pre-filled catheter flush syringes and syringe pump systems, announced that it has launched a major new product: the SwabCap[TM] Luer Access Valve Disinfection disinfection, n the process of destroying pathogenic organisms or rendering them inert. disinfection, full oral cavity, n a procedure used to reduce active periodontal disease, usually completed within a certain short time frame. Cap. SwabCap[TM] is a simple twist-on device that disinfects swab-able luer access valves prior to catheter line access. The FDA-cleared device passively disinfects the valve top and threads while providing a physical barrier to contamination for up to 96 hours. The cap's design and ease-of-use also help verify compliance with standard-of-care clinical protocols for cleaning luer access valves -- including the new (January 2010) Joint Commission requirement. SwabCap was officially launched at the 23rd annual conference of the Association for Vascular Access vascular access Clinical medicine The ability to enter the vascular system; the ease with which the vascular system can be entered for administering therapy or obtaining blood for testing , held September 15-17. The product has already been shipped to its initial customers. "Infections related to catheters are potentially fatal and also create large financial burdens for hospitals, sometimes adding up to millions of dollars," said Tony Saia, Excelsior's Vice President of Global Marketing. "Before SwabCap, it's been difficult to verify compliance with the protocols for cleaning luer access valves, which in turn could possibly increase the risk of infection. SwabCap addresses this issue by simplifying and standardizing disinfection, and providing a visible sign that the cap has been cleaned and protected." SwabCap disinfects luer access valves by bathing the valve's threads and top with 70% isopropyl alcohol isopropyl alcohol: see isopropanol. . As the cap is twisted onto the threads, a foam pad inside the cap is compressed, releasing the alcohol. The twisting action and the patent pending thread cover design help focus the alcohol on the targeted areas, without activating the luer access valve. The cap also acts as a physical barrier to touch and airborne contamination, lasting up to 96 hours under normal conditions
Vascular access consultant Nancy Moureau, RN, CRNI CRNI Certified Registered Nurse Intravenous CRNI Certified Registered Nurse Infusionist , said a technology such as SwabCap may represent part of the solution to a widely recognized problem. "The adoption of needleless access devices such as luer access valves is associated with a rise in CRBSI rates," said Moureau, the founder, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of PICC PICC Peripherally-inserted central catheter Critical care An IV catheter inserted in the superior vena cava for long-term infusion of bolus or continuous delivery of therapeutics or TPN–drugs, fluids, nutrients, chemotherapy. Cf Catheter. Excellence. "IV access ports need to be decontaminated with the most effective substance. Alcohol is very effective in disinfecting surfaces, and luer access devices have traditionally been disinfected Disinfected Decreased the number of microorganisms on or in an object. Mentioned in: Isolation with alcohol wipes. But compliance with that method is not as high as it needs to be." SwabCap represents an important advancement in the standardization of valve disinfection that could help prevent potentially deadly catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). CRBSIs are among the most frequent and dangerous infections associated with medical care. These infections are often fatal, with an attributable mortality rate of 12% to 25%. Ensuring the disinfection and protection of luer access valves may play a crucial role in eliminating CRBSIs. Compliance with clinical protocols for cleaning luer access valves is increasingly important to hospitals. Besides protecting patient safety, the protocols reduce hospitals' financial risk. CRBSIs cost an estimated $34,000 to $56,000 per incident to treat, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and also extend a patient's hospital stay by an average of seven days. Much of this cost is now falling on hospitals. About Excelsior Excelsior Medical Corp. is one of the leading manufacturers of pre-filled catheter flush syringes and syringe pump systems. Formed in 1989, Excelsior manufactures, markets, and sells pre-filled saline flush syringes, pre-filled heparin flush and lock syringes, and syringe pump systems to customers throughout the world. Excelsior is a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. whose main focus is the development of innovative catheter maintenance products that reduce infection, medication errors, and healthcare costs. For more information, call toll-free 800-487-4276 or access www.excelsiormedical.com. |
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