Article Shows Advantages of Using System that Replaces Chest X-Ray to
Check Central IV Line Placement
WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2015--
Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of medical
devices for critical care and surgery, announced that a recent
peer-reviewed article about the ARROW VPS® Vascular
Positioning System showed the technology can reduce improper positioning
of central IV catheters. The article was published in the Fall 2014
issue of the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access
(JAVA).
The catheter tip positioning project took place at James A. Haley
Veterans’ Hospital, in Tampa, Fla., and involved use of the VPS®
Technology to place peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). The
article in JAVA presents the largest cohort at one site of patient
results in studies using the VPS® System.
The hospital’s PICC team primarily examined whether the system could
reduce the incidence of malpositioned PICCs. Improper PICC positioning
can result in serious complications and delay potentially lifesaving IV
therapy. The article data showed a 51% reduction of malpositioned
catheters when using the VPS System.1 The hospital also
wanted to determine whether use of the system could minimize the use of
chest X-rays to confirm accurate PICC placement, which they were able to
achieve.
“It was gratifying for our PICC team’s product trial to establish a new
protocol that benefits patients and the hospital alike,” said lead
author Linda Smith, MSN, RN, CRRN, VA-BC™, CRNI®, a Vascular
Access Nurse and PICC team member at James A. Haley. “Many of our
patients have significant health complications and PICC placements can
be challenging. We identified the positioning system as a possible
improvement to our PICC placement procedures. Then we evaluated it to
make sure it performed as promised, and our results led to a policy
change that has improved the quality and efficiency of care at our
hospital and allowed us to eliminate confirmatory chest X-ray for most
PICC placements.”
Smith is the lead author of the study. The co-authors are Catherine M.
Brown, MSN, RN-BC, RVT and Julie Mendoza, BSN, RN, VA-BC™.
The ARROW® VPS® Vascular Positioning System
combines intravascular electrocardiogram (ECG), intravascular Doppler
ultrasound and a software algorithm, to accurately place catheter tips
in the lower one-third of the Superior Vena Cava-Cavo Atrial Junction
(SVC-CAJ). The system displays a Blue Bullseye on the screen when an
accurate placement has been made at the SVC-CAJ. The VPS®
Device is FDA-cleared to eliminate chest X-ray in adult patients, when a
steady Blue Bullseye is achieved.
The PICC team at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital evaluated the
positioning system to assess effectiveness and potential advantages in
the following areas:
-
Real-time guidance. The positioning system helps prevent
malposition by guiding central venous catheter placements in real
time. A confirmatory chest X-ray is a retrospective image that can
only reveal a malposition, not prevent it.
-
Reduced X-ray exposure. Many patients are exposed to radiation
from a variety of screenings and eliminating a confirmatory chest
X-ray helps reduce that exposure.
-
Fewer treatment delays. The X-ray process can delay treatment
by up to several hours, depending on the hospital. If the X-ray shows
that a malpositioned catheter needs to be adjusted, the delay is even
greater.
-
Reduced procedure time. Eliminating confirmatory chest X-rays
makes more efficient use of radiologists’ and nurses’ time.
"It's always heartening to see nurses contribute to the medical
literature, and this is an important article for several reasons,” said
Jay White, President, Vascular Division of Teleflex. “It documents one
key way in which vascular access nurses can use advanced technology to
provide services that may save hospitals both staff time and money. This
paper also supports the goal many hospitals have to protect patients
from unnecessary exposure to radiation, and Teleflex Incorporated is
pleased that our VPS® Technology is part of that effort."
About Teleflex Incorporated
Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical devices for a
range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our mission is to
provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to improve outcomes
and enhance patient and provider safety. Headquartered in Wayne, PA,
Teleflex employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and serves
healthcare providers in more than 150 countries. Additional information
about Teleflex can be obtained from the company's website at teleflex.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe
historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our
management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a
number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may
cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what
is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and
uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
VA-BC is a trademark or registered trademark of The Vascular Access
Certification Corporation.
CRNI is a trademark or registered trademark of The Infusion Nurses
Certification Corporation.
Teleflex, Arrow and VPS are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates.
© 2014 Teleflex
Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-000311
References:
1. Smith L, Brown CM, Mendoza J. Novel catheter positioning system for
intravenous central lines: a report of 1 hospital's experience. J
Vasc Access. 2014;19(3):167-171.
Source: Teleflex Incorporated
Teleflex Incorporated
Jake Elguicze
Treasurer and Vice
President, Investor Relations
610-948-2836
jake.elguicze@teleflex.com
www.teleflex.com