StatLock Dialysis Device Launched to Improve Kidney Patient Safety.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 29, 2000

Venetec International has announced the launch of StatLock Dialysis, the first sterile catheter-securement device for dialysis patients.

StatLock Dialysis replaces suture for securement of central venous catheters used during renal dialysis procedures. It provides stronger and safer securement for patients whose health is seriously threatened by kidney failure.

The device also protects healthcare workers from suture needlesticks that occur during the suturing of dialysis catheters, by eliminating suture previously used for catheter securement.

"We believe we're going to help save lives with this device," said Steve Bierman, M.D., Venetec's medical director and CEO. "StatLock Dialysis helps prevent life-threatening dislodgments of dialysis catheters. Moreover, new research indicates that using StatLock instead of suture greatly reduces some patients' risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Such potentially lethal infections are reportedly higher in hemodialysis patients than in other groups using central venous catheters."

Several Venetec advances in securement technology are incorporated into the new device. These include a new, stronger latching mechanism, proprietary adhesive technology, and hydrocolloid, skin-safe backing.

Another advantage is that the device is easier than suture on the skin of dialysis patients, who often have skin integrity issues related to their poor health.

More than 10 million Americans have serious kidney-related health problems, according to the American Kidney Fund, which adds that nearly 80,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with total and permanent kidney failure or end-stage renal disease.

The foundation reports that about 360,000 Americans are currently undergoing dialysis therapy. Kidney disease is the nation's ninth-leading cause of death.

Dialysis therapy offers important health benefits to many people, eliminating toxic wastes from the body when the kidneys fail or cannot eliminate these wastes unassisted.

When dialysis therapy is initiated, a large catheter is inserted into the patient and is secured there for short-term use until a permanent shunt can be installed. However, many of these "temporary" catheters remain in place for some weeks or months, making safe securement a vital health issue.

StatLock Dialysis is designed to be used for one week, after which it can be safely and easily replaced with a new StatLock without replacing the dialysis catheter.

"This device represents a significant advance in a long-neglected clinical area, offering benefits to patients, healthcare workers and healthcare providers," Dr. Bierman said.

StatLock Dialysis fits the catheters of all three major dialysis catheter manufacturers, Bard Access Systems, Horizon Medical Products, and Kendall Healthcare Products Company.

Clinical studies have shown that StatLock securement devices reduce health-threatening infections, unscheduled catheter restarts and complications such as phlebitis, infiltration and occlusion, while lowering the overall cost of care.

The new device is one of more than a dozen StatLock product designs, which safely hold virtually all kinds of medical tubes and catheters used in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home-care settings.

StatLock is an integral part of catheter insertion trays made by most major manufacturers and is used in hundreds of healthcare facilities, including the Cleveland Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

For more information call 800/833-3895 or access www.StatLock.com.