ICU Medical Launches Needlefree Catheter Patency Device to Reduce Catheter Occlusions

ICU Medical, Inc. announces it is launching the Neutron needlefree catheter patency device with constant neutral pressure today at the Association for Vascular Access annual scientific meeting in San Jose, Calif.

Neutron is the only device with FDA 510k clearance to claim the ability to prevent fluid displacement during an IV bag run-dry, infusion pump stop, or patient vascular pressure changes caused by coughing, sneezing or movement all of which have been associated with loss of catheter patency. Results of early clinical use and pre-launch testing of the Neutron device have been so favorable that ICU Medical is offering its customers a $100,000 performance guarantee. If a healthcare facility does not experience a reduction in catheter occlusion rates in the first three months after converting all of its central IV lines to the Neutron, ICU Medical will pay that facility $100,000.

Blood reflux into a catheter is a common problem in IV therapy, and has been shown to contribute to numerous complications including biofilm formation, clotting, and intraluminal thrombotic occlusions that can lead to increased healthcare costs and potential delays in essential treatment. In three months of clinical use at Sharp Home Infusion Services in San Diego part of the Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award-winning Sharp Health System a change to the Neutron device from the CareFusion MaxPlus MV connector led to a 70 percent reduction in occlusion rates, according to Lori Rhoades, RN, BSN, NE-BC, director of nursing and patient care services at Sharp Home Infusion.

"This dramatic decrease in occlusions is particularly significant because home infusion patients are going about their daily activities and generate more movement, which can be a primary cause of blood reflux into central intravenous catheters," Rhoades explains. "Since the Neutron significantly reduces blood reflux when connecting and disconnecting, or when the patient moves around, it appears to be of particular value to this patient population. We believe our occlusion rates may even improve more over time, as patient catheter change-out occurs and Neutron is used exclusively on these lines."

"As the company that created the safe IV connector category, we believe in the clinical and financial value of the Neutron device, but realize that it is often difficult for clinicians to advocate for the adoption of new technology," says ICU Medical, Inc. founder and CEO Dr. George Lopez. "We hope that by offering a $100,000 performance guarantee for the Neutron we can encourage clinicians to pursue adoption of this breakthrough technology at their facilities by taking financial risk out of the equation."

To qualify for the $100,000 performance guarantee, facilities need to agree to a few simple terms and conditions and commit to compiling and sharing occlusion data pre-and post-implementation of the Neutron catheter patency device. To find out more about the guarantee, clinicians should contact their local ICU medical representative to begin the qualification process or call (800) 824-7890 for more details.