Peer-Reviewed Published Research Reconfirms Clinical Benefits and
Cost-Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine/Silver Sulfadiazine-Impregnated CVC
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 newly published
research has reaffirmed the ability of catheters protected with ARROWg+ard®
Technology to reduce both bloodstream infections and direct costs
associated with treating those infections.1
The ARROW® CVC with ARROWg+ard® Technology
outperformed the unprotected CVC in both infection reduction and total
cost per patient. Within the study, the protected catheter achieved a
zero infection rate per 1,000 catheter days. In contrast, the
unprotected device was associated with a much higher CRBSI rate of
8.61/1,000 catheter days (7.4% of cases). The results were statistically
significant. Additionally, the antimicrobial protected catheter was also
associated with prolonged CRBSI-free time compared to the unprotected
catheter, including dwell times of up to 25 days without a bloodstream
infection.
The study focused only on Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) inserted into
the femoral area. The researchers compared infection rates and
cost-effectiveness of an unprotected CVC versus a catheter protected
with ARROWg+ard® Technology inserted into this
infection-prone region. (ARROWg+ard® Technology is
an antimicrobial protection of chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine
bonded to the catheter’s surface to reduce catheter-related bloodstream
infections [CRBSIs]). The research goal was to determine if the
chlorhexidine/silver sulfadiazine CVC could reduce bloodstream infection
rates and reduce the cost of diagnosing and treating an infection.
The authors undertook the study because previous cost-effectiveness
analyses of antimicrobial
catheters included the cost of extended hospital stays. This cost
varies widely from institution to institution and country to country,
limiting the applicability of the results. For the current study, the
authors included only the costs of CVCs, infection diagnosis and
antimicrobials used to treat patients who developed infections. These
direct expenses, they believed, provide a clearer picture of the
ultimate cost-effectiveness of the protected, antimicrobial catheter,
given its somewhat higher initial cost.
The ARROW® CVC with ARROWg+ard®
Technology had sharply lower CVC-related costs than those associated
with the unprotected catheter. Notably, the cost of an ARROW® CVC
with ARROWg+ard® Technology was 15 times less
expensive than an unprotected catheter. (The cost per catheter day of
the protected catheter was €2.92 ± €1.77 vs. the cost of an unprotected
catheter at €18.22 ± €53.13. The cost was calculated in euros because
the study was done in Spain. As of the press release date, the
conversions to dollars would be $3.48 ± $2.11 vs. $21.70 ± $63.27.)
The study involved patients admitted to the ICU of the Hospital
Universitario de Canarias (Tenerife, Spain) who received one or more
femoral venous catheters. It examined a total of 254 catheters and 2,195
catheter days. Each patient’s physician made the decision about whether
to use a protected or unprotected catheter and whether to insert the
catheter in the femoral vein.
The study was a retrospective analysis performed and published by
Leonardo Lorente, M.D., Ph.D. and colleagues independent of Teleflex.
Dr. Lorente works in the Department of Critical Care at Hospital
Universitario de Canarias, in Tenerife, Spain.
The peer‐reviewed paper appears in the October 2014 issue of the American
Journal of Infection Control, which is published by APIC,
the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
“We report that the antimicrobial catheter eliminated infections even
though it was used in the femoral access site, which is typically
associated with higher infection rates,” said Lorente. “This suggests
the device might be similarly effective when used in other sites with
high infection risk or with vulnerable patient populations such as
immunocompromised patients.”
Lorente said the results could be helpful to other institutions, adding,
“These findings may interest hospitals who are evaluating antimicrobial
catheters to reduce their bloodstream infection rates. The fact that the
antimicrobial catheter was shown to be cost-effective should also
reassure those institutions about the economics of antimicrobial CVCs.”
“This study underscores the fact that hospitals can benefit by looking
beyond up-front costs to total treatment costs when selecting a central
venous catheter,” said Jay White, President of the Teleflex Vascular
Access Division. “In the study, the total costs of using an unprotected
catheter were extremely high because of the infections and related
treatment costs. In contrast, the ARROWg+ard®
Technology improved both outcomes and cost-effectiveness. This study
demonstrates that Teleflex can help hospitals protect their patients and
their bottom line.”
More than 30 studies support the ability of ARROWg+ard®
Technology to save lives and reduce costs by reducing infections.
Additional information on the technology can be found at arrowgard.com
and thearrowadvantage.com.
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.
Teleflex, Arrow, and Arrowg+ard are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates.
©
2015 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-000725
References:
1. Lorente L, Lecuona M, Jiménez A, et al. Cost/benefit analysis of
chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine-impregnated venous catheters for
femoral access. American Journal of Infection Control, 2014; 42:
1130-1132.
Source: Teleflex Incorporated
Teleflex Incorporated
Jake Elguicze
Treasurer and Vice
President, Investor Relations
610-948-2836
jake.elguicze@teleflex.com
www.teleflex.com