BETHLEHEM, PA--(Marketwired - Jan 17, 2017) - B. Braun Medical Inc. collaborated with Overlook Medical Center, part of New Jersey-based Atlantic Health System, to conduct a randomized trial assessing the impact of B. Braun's proprietary blended, simulation-based educational intervention on staff nurses' peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) knowledge, confidence, and procedural skills. The study results showed significant improvements in these areas in a simulated environment.1 The research manuscript was published in the December issue of Simulation in Healthcare.

It is estimated that more than a billion PIVCs are sold annually worldwide with at least 80 percent of all hospitalized patients receiving some form of infusion therapy. A recent analysis revealed overall PIVC catheter failure rates ranging from 35 - 50 percent, which leads to premature removal before the catheter's intended dwell time. Health care practitioner PIVC knowledge and procedural skill deficits have been identified as one of the primary factors leading to premature catheter failure due to a variety of patient complications, which decreases patient satisfaction and increases the overall cost of care.1,2

"Pure product innovation by medical device suppliers is no longer enough," said Kevin Glover, Corporate VP, Clinical Education, Training and Outcomes Research at B. Braun. "Our future success depends on the extent to which we are able to transparently work together with our customers to help solve clinical patient care problems by leveraging existing products with innovative new evidence-based educational solutions. This collaborative research project with Overlook Medical Center was an important first step on this new journey that B. Braun is undertaking."
"Nursing education departments are striving to adapt nursing curriculum to meet 21st century evidence-based instructional design best practices and stay ahead of the curve," said Nowai Keleekai, PhD, RN, Nurse Researcher at Overlook Medical Center.

"Active collaboration with industry partners who are also seeking to positively affect patient outcomes, should be considered as an effective option to share instructional knowledge and resources, and promote evidence-based practices to improve patient care," added Keleekai.

The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010 ushered in a new era of health care, and one of its primary focuses is on providing better quality patient care at reduced cost. "Given every organization's limited resources, it can be difficult for a single entity to make progress alone to address significant patient outcome issues of common interest," Glover said. "The missions of hospital providers, their medical device suppliers, medical professional associations, patients, and government have never been more aligned to collectively develop solutions through educational research to improve health outcomes."

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