Innovative IV Catheter Reduces Bloodstream Infections

SAN DIEGO - The POWERWAND® (Access Scientific, Inc., San Diego), an innovative extended-dwell peripheral IV catheter (PIV), substantially outperforms other catheters in both patient satisfaction and safety, according to a presentation at the recent annual meeting of the Infusion Nurses Society (INS).

The presentation was by Teresa Darst, RN, Director of Vascular Access at Huguley Memorial Medical Center. Huguley (Burleson, Texas) was the first hospital in the nation to fully implement the new technology.
"The POWERWAND has been a revelation at our institution," said Darst. "It has allowed us to substantially improve patients' experience during IV therapy. It also emphasizes that innovative care is central to our mission."

Darst's presentation cited peer-reviewed, published data showing significant advantages for the POWERWAND compared to conventional PIV's and PICC's. In addition to a 98% patient satisfaction rate with the device, she reported these findings:

*Bloodstream infections. The Huguley data showed zero infections with the POWERWAND, as opposed to 1.1-3.5 infections per 1,000 line days for PICC's.

*Average dwell time. POWERWAND's average dwell time was 10.7 days, compared to 44 hours for conventional PIV's and 7.3-16.6 hours for PICC's.

*Completion of therapy. Therapy was completed 89.5% of the time after a single POWERWAND insertion, compared to only the completion of only 47% with conventional PIV's that is seen in published studies.

*Total complications. The total complication rate for POWERWAND was only 8.3%, compared to 47-65% for other PIV's.

*Deep vein thrombosis (a form of blood clot).POWERWAND's average rate was 1.9% compared to 12-60% for PICC's.

The 98% patient satisfaction rate is notable because patient satisfaction is emerging as an important factor in hospital reimbursement. This makes the POWERWAND an attractive option, Darst said, in view of the high complication rates and frequent needlesticks associated with other kinds of PIV's.

"When you're already in pain, the last thing you need is more pain from your treatment," one patient told Darst. "My recent stay at Huguley involved multiple medical procedures. Over the course of several days, I only had one needlestick, since the medical staff used the POWERWAND. I was so grateful for the comfort and care."

Huguley has updated its vascular access algorithm. It now calls for the POWERWAND to be used for most patients requiring IV therapy for more than three days, unless there is a clear indication for a central venous line. The device is also used for patients needing IV therapy for less than three days, if vascular access is considered to be difficult.

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