Venetec Applauds New INS Catheter Standards.

SAN DIEGO -- Venetec International, makers of StatLock, the world's leading catheter securement device, today applauded the Infusion Nurses Society for its new, evidence-based Standards of Practice for catheter stabilization (also referred to as catheter securement).

The new Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice -- which cite numerous peer-reviewed, published articles on catheter securement -- include important revisions regarding the stabilization of catheters, the field pioneered by StatLock.

For the first time, the Standards state a preference for a particular method of catheter stabilization. Specifically, the new Standards state, "Whenever feasible, using a manufactured catheter stabilization device is preferred."

While the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) does not endorse or recommend specific products, as of today, StatLock is the only evidence-based catheter stabilization device that meets the new national Standards.

The Standards are expected to have a broad and pervasive impact, because they have been issued by the world's leading medical society dedicated to IV infusion.

There are 209 million peripheral IV catheters placed in the US each year, according to industry analysts, with millions more central venous and arterial catheters also used each year in American healthcare facilities.

These figures reflect the fact that catheter placement and stabilization are the most common invasive medical procedures performed in the U.S.

Venetec officials welcomed the new INS Standards as being evidence-based and dedicated to optimizing benefits for patients and caregivers alike.

"By stating catheter stabilization devices are preferred over other methods such as tape and suture, these nationwide Standards represent a true inflection point for adoption of StatLock in the market," said Gene Starr, President and CEO of Venetec International. "This is another big step toward the time in the near future, when StatLock will be the standard of care in institutions throughout the U.S. and increasingly throughout the world."

Stated Venetec's medical director, Steven Bierman, M.D.: "It's worth noting that the new Standards no longer include nonsterile tape and suture as acceptable methods of catheter stabilization. The absence of evidence for the old, habit-based methods of nonsterile tape and suture is reflected in the omission of these methods from the new Standards."

The Standards' language on catheter stabilization draws on eight published studies documenting StatLock's effectiveness, as well as favorable assessments of the StatLock approach by the CDC, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and ECRI, the nonprofit health services research agency.

"The science of catheter stabilization has been steadily developing over the past decade," said Gregory Schears, M.D., a widely published authority on catheter stabilization who practices medicine in Rochester, Minn. "It's gratifying that INS has recognized the science and is now recommending an evidence-based standard of practice."

The new INS document was also welcomed by infusion expert Bonnie Trottier Smith, R.N., CRNI. Smith is the author of several publications assessing StatLock and other catheter stabilization methods and is manager of the IV Therapy Department at Holmes Regional Medical Center, a 514-bed hospital in Melbourne, Fla..

"There is little scientific evidence to support the old, habit-based methods of stabilizing catheters with tape or suture," said Smith. "Because INS has recognized there is solid clinical evidence for manufactured stabilization devices, the organization is to be commended for stating these devices are preferred."

Venetec CEO Gene Starr also issued a statement of congratulations to integrated delivery networks such as Florida-based Adventist Health System and the Northside Hospital healthcare delivery system, in metro Atlanta. "Based on the correct assumption that the new INS Standards would be evidence-based, these and many other farsighted institutions dedicated to the highest standards of patient care have adopted StatLock as part of their infusion nursing protocols," Starr said.

About Venetec International

StatLock replaces tape and suture securement, the traditional but problem-plagued methods of catheter stabilization. The device's superior technology reduces catheter-related complications and infections. StatLock is the only securement device supported by a broad base of peer-reviewed, published data on clinical outcomes. The device is used in settings ranging from the neonatal ICU to the nursing home.

Internationally, StatLock is currently sold in more than 30 countries and meets the Royal College of Nursing securement standards in Britain. Venetec International's IV safety securement products are contained in more than 95 percent of extended-dwell catheter kits in the U.S., and its peripheral IV products are used hospital-wide in more than 300 hospitals in the U.S.

Venetec has agreements for StatLock usage with many healthcare organizations, including Novation, Premier, Inc., and the Veterans Health Administration. StatLock devices are included in safety infusion systems made by Baxter Healthcare, B. Braun, Arrow International, BD (Becton Dickinson), Kendall/Tyco, C.R. Bard, Cook, Inc., and others.

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