Kimberly-Clark Launches KIMVENT 24-Hour Oral Care Kit

ROSWELL, Ga. -- Kimberly-Clark Health Care announces today the launch of the Kimberly-Clark* KIMVENT* 24-Hour Oral Care Kit, a systematic and flexible oral care system developed to assist caregivers in meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendations for an oral hygiene program for patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

For ventilator-dependent patients, it is well-documented that proper oral care is critical in the prevention of VAP; however, it is a step that is often overlooked.

In our research with critical care nurses, we found that oral care is considered very important; however, nurses are looking for a better way to get the job done, said Kimberly-Clark Health Care vice president of global sales and marketing John Amat. We worked closely with nurses to understand what features would help make oral care compliance one less worry. We feel that our new system addresses each of the areas where nurses told us improvements could be made.

Designed by nurses for nurses to address the challenges associated with oral care products, the KIMVENT* 24-Hour Oral Care Kit has a convenient and portable design as well as ergonomic and user-friendly tools. The kit can be kept at the patients bedside and includes the following features:

-- Easy-access carton with individual packs, which allows caregivers to choose the right tool at the right time based on patient need and hospital protocol

-- No-leak, easy-peel procedure packs that serve as a workstation and include everything needed to clean, debride, suction and moisturize the oral cavity

-- Unique, patent-pending, self-cleaning, covered Yankauer that has a high-flow tip with multiple holes to quickly and effectively remove secretions and a rigid, clear, curved shaft that makes the oral cavity more visible and easy to maneuver

-- Portable, no-mess, easy-to-use cups that contain extra cleaning solution

-- Flexible suction toothbrush that has soft, gentle bristles to remove dental plaque, debris and secretions

-- Suction swabs that have an angled tip design, providing easy access to surfaces, and a soft sponge tip that stimulates, cleans and freshens the mouth

-- Pliable suction catheter that helps remove oral secretions

-- Clear mouth moisturizer that contains aloe vera gel

The Yankauer features a self-cleaning mechanism and cover. Traditional Yankauers are often stored in a plastic cover or bag, where they can remain wet and covered in secretions. The KIMVENT* Yankauer has an innovative, self-cleaning mechanism that uses Kimberly-Clarks patent-pending peep-seal technology to squeegee secretions and debris from the shaft after suctioning, leaving the Yankauer drier and cleaner between uses.

Nurses told us that a self-cleaning mechanism was important, so we leveraged technology used in our Ballard* Trach Care* product to make that possible, said Amat. KIMVENT* Oral Care Kit complements our line of closed endotracheal suction catheters and is a perfect complement to the products that we offer to address risk factors for VAP.

Because there are multiple risk factors leading to VAP, Kimberly-Clark is committed to providing clinicians with a range of innovative, effective clinical solutions and best practice education to address VAP. Kimberly-Clarks product bundle includes its market leading BALLARD* TRACH CARE* Closed Suction Systems for suctioning secretions from the airway without disconnecting the ventilator circuit; MICROCUFF* Endotracheal Tube to reduce the leakage of potentially infectious secretions into the lungs; BAL-CATH* System, a simple, effective bedside bronchoalveolar lavage for improved diagnostic yield; and a variety of additional oral care products.

To learn more about the Kimberly-Clark* KIMVENT* 24-Hour Oral Care Kit, visit http://www.kchealthcare.com/kimvent

Source: Kimberly-Clark Health Care