Georgia Health Sciences University Clinical Study Shows RyMed InVision-Plus® IV Connector Significantly Decreased Central Venous Catheter Occlusions in Oncology Patients

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Health Sciences University presented a poster at the recent 11th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research in Los Angeles, in which their clinical study showed that RyMed Technologies' InVision-Plus® IV Connector significantly decreased venous catheter occlusions in patients from both outpatient and inpatient cancer clinical settings. The study compared one simple split septum negative displacement IV connector (Becton-Dickinson Q-Syte®) against a zero fluid displacement connector (RyMed's InVision-Plus® IV Connector).

Venous access catheters and needleless IV connectors are a necessary part of cancer patient treatment. Thrombotic occlusions, which are blood clots within the catheter lumen, are a significant complication of vascular access catheters and IV connectors that can lead in some instances to a partial or totally occluded catheter and potentially lead to biofilm development and deadly bloodstream infections.

Dr. Cynthia C. Chernecky PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN at Georgia Health Sciences University was the lead presenter of the clinical poster. The overall reductions in occlusion rates were significant with the InVision-Plus® IV Connector. The pediatric outpatient population saw a 93% reduction in occlusions. This is particularly significant since the primary care for this group of patients is the parent or the clinical personnel where the patient lives. The zero fluid displacement connector averaged a 73% reduction in occlusion rates versus the split septum negative displacement IV connector in the three departments evaluated; ICU, inpatient and outpatient populations.

Dr. Chernecky stated, "The prevention of occlusions is paramount in the oncology patient as potential loss of venous access and resulting delays of treatment can be harmful and lead to unnecessary pain. Use of best technology is what each patient deserves."

The Chernecky clinical data is an addition to the growing body of evidence associating various negative and positive displacement split-septum and mechanical valves with increased rates of complications, whether catheter-related bloodstream infections or intraluminal thrombotic occlusions.

"Evidence-based occlusion studies are rare, especially in outpatient pediatric oncology populations. Reducing and/or eliminating occlusions will negate treatment delays, add time to nursing and physician care, decrease cost, decrease mortalities and increase the quality of life for patients and their family. This is a clear evaluation and indication by the numbers that the InVision-Plus® is the best needleless IV connector for patients," said Dana Wm. Ryan, President and CEO, RyMed Technologies.

About RyMed Technologies, Inc.

Founded in 1994, RyMed Technologies specializes in the development and marketing of innovative safety products in the field of intravenous catheter care management. The company's products are designed to help reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) and intraluminal thrombotic catheter occlusions associated with needleless IV connectors. More than 10 years of research and development have gone into InVision-Plus® IV Connector. In January, 2011 the Company introduced the first chlorhexidine/silver ion technology with the new InVision-Plus® CS™. For more information, call (615) 790-8093 or access www.rymedtech.com.

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SOURCE RyMed Technologies, Inc.