Cook Medical's Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC Debuts at Canadian Vascular Access Association Conference

For the first time, the Cook Medical Spectrum® Turbo-Ject® PICC, a critical component in eliminating potentially fatal catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), is available in Canada. The product, impregnated with the antibiotics minocycline and rifampin, is being introduced to the Canadian market at the Canadian Vascular Access Associations 36th annual conference in Toronto being held Oct. 19-21, 2011.

According to a World Health Organization report, the hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rate in Canada is about 11.6 percent,(1) one of the highest among developed countries. Combined with industry standard processes, Spectrum technology will play a critical role in helping to lower CRBSI rates, improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that treatment cost of a CRBSI is estimated at $16,550 US per infection.(2) In addition, Spectrum PICCs meet the newly released 1A recommendation from the CDC for reducing CRBSI if maximal sterile barrier precautions havent helped a facility reach its goal.(3)

The Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC, the industrys first power-injection antibiotic-impregnated peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC), is capable of delivering contrast media at the injection rates required for CT scans. Patients receiving Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC lines can benefit from reduced infection risk because of the technologys proven combination of the antibiotics of minocycline and rifampin.

The Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC is already a mainstay in safeguarding against potentially deadly CRBSIs around the world, and we look forward to providing this technology to patients in Canada, says Dan Sirota, vice president and global leader of Cook Medicals Interventional Radiology division. Cook is committed to developing technologies that improve clinical outcomes while decreasing healthcare costs, and the Canadian launch of Spectrum technology further demonstrates Cooks dedication to improving patient care worldwide.

Numerous peer-reviewed publications, including a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, have demonstrated both the safety and efficacy of Spectrum technology in preventing CRBSIs. Spectrum technology has been shown to establish zones of inhibition greater than 15 mm for up to 63 days against the leading cause of CRBSIs.(4)

Unlike most systemic antibiotics, this unique combination has the ability to penetrate the biofilm that forms on all indwelling catheters.(5) Additionally, research has shown that use of these catheters does not promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in patients receiving Spectrum catheters. In fact, the use of Spectrum technology has demonstrated reduced antibiotic-resistant strains in one single-center study6.

Dr. Issam Raad and Dr. Rabih Darouiches institutions receive royalties for sale of select Cook Medicals products.

References

1. World Health Organization, 2011. Burden of healthcare-associated infection worldwide.

2. Department of Health & Human Services, Vital Signs: Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections United States, 2001, 2008, and 2009: 2011. Washington, DC: Centers for Disease Control

3. Department of Health & Human Services. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections, 2011: 2011. Washington, DC: Centers for Disease Control.

4. Cook Medical data on file.

5. Raad, I Hanna H, Jiang Y, et al. Comparative activities of daptomycin, linezoid, and tigecycline against catheter-related methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus bacteremic isolates embedded in biofilm. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007; 51(5):1656-1660.

6. Ramos E, Jiang Y, Hachem R, et al. Is the prolonged use of minocycline/rifampin coated catheters (M/R CVC) associated with increased resistance: a seven year experience in a tertiary cancer center. Paper presented at: The Society of Healthcare and Epidemiology of America 18th Annual Scientific Meeting; Orlando, FL. April 5-8. 2008.