StatLock in B. Braun Pediatric Catheter Tray.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--June 8, 2000

StatLock(R) catheter securement devices will be included in a major new catheter kit from B. Braun, one of the world's largest suppliers of healthcare products.

The StatLock PICC Plus device will be an important part of B. Braun's pediatric central venous catheter (CVC) kits, under terms of an agreement announced by Venetec International, makers of StatLock.

The newly improved StatLock PICC Plus (with sliding posts) is specially designed to hold winged catheters of variable dimensions, including CVCs and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). B. Braun's pediatric CVC kits will be sold in Europe and Asia. The company is the first to include StatLock in kits for CVCs.

PICC Plus includes an adhesive pad that is shaped like a teddy bear and appeals to younger patients, in addition to providing the strong adhesiveness and securement benefits of other StatLock models. "The decision to include StatLock in this new CVC pediatric tray puts B. Braun ahead of other companies on needlestick and infection control issues in pediatric care," said Steve Bierman M.D., CEO and medical director of Venetec International.

"Venetec is gratified to witness the inclusion of StatLock safety securement devices in yet another sector of the vascular access device marketplace," Dr. Bierman said. "We now include StatLock in the trays of extended-dwell, dialysis, epidural, and central venous catheters. Venetec's vision of a StatLock for every catheter is fast-becoming a reality. From a cost, safety, and quality standpoint, it only makes sense."

Recent clinical studies suggest that StatLock reduces patients' exposure to potentially deadly bloodborne infections. Combined data collected from studies at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania suggest fewer catheter-related infections may occur when StatLock replaces tape or suture for central venous catheter securement.

"This extra measure of protection is important for pediatric patients, where bloodborne infections can be especially dangerous," Dr. Bierman said.

StatLock also protects young patients against other traumas associated with tape or suture securement, such as unscheduled catheter restarts, pain, scarring, and suture wound infections.

A prospective study of 100 pediatric PICC patients at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found StatLock to be superior to standard securement in several respects. StatLock significantly reduced the number of catheter complications, unplanned catheter restarts, and costs attributed to catheter maintenance and complications.

"As the first company to provide StatLock in its CVC trays, B. Braun has made an especially intelligent choice to protect both pediatric patients and the healthcare workers who care for them," Dr. Bierman said.

StatLock eliminates needlestick exposure for healthcare workers placing winged catheters, by replacing suture previously used for securement.

Catheter securement devices are listed by California OSHA and other states as "engineered sharps injury protection" because they are clinically proven to reduce healthcare workers' exposure to potentially fatal needlesticks.

With more than 27,000 employees in almost 50 countries, B. Braun is one of the world's largest suppliers of healthcare products.

Headquartered in San Diego, Venetec International manufactures a variety of patented StatLock designs that are used to secure catheters made by most major manufacturers, including B. Braun, BD (formerly Becton Dickinson), CR Bard, Alaris Medical and Sims Deltec. StatLock is used in hundreds of healthcare facilities around the world including Yale New Haven Hospital, VA Medical Center, San Diego, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

For more information call [phone] or access www.StatLock.com.