PRNewswire - December 9, 1999

B. Braun Medical's Introcan(R) Safety(TM) IV Catheter is the world's first "passive" safety IV catheter, which means the safety clip covering the needletip activates automatically when the needle bevel exits the catheter hub. Healthcare workers do not need to change their technique or remember to retract or sheathe contaminated needles-a major improvement over existing products on the market.

"Safety shouldn't require a second thought," said Dan Rice, vice president of marketing at B. Braun. "The key to designing safety devices is engineering a product that requires no change in technique ... something that nurses and doctors do not have to think twice about. When healthcare workers use the Introcan product, safety is automatic."

Rice said that several prestigious teaching hospitals and medical centers have already converted to the Introcan Safety IV product.

CDC's NIOSH Alert, OSHA directive urge hospitals to adopt safety devices

The introduction of B. Braun's Introcan Safety IV catheter coincides with two federal initiatives to reduce needlestick injuries. On Nov. 22, 1999, the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) issued a strongly worded Safety Alert that urges hospitals to adopt safety devices. And on Nov. 5, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a directive that emphasizes the "use of effective engineering controls, to include safer medical devices ... "

Between 600,000 and 800,000 accidental needlestick injuries are suffered by healthcare workers each year in the United States. Despite representing only 6 percent of all needlesticks (nearly 50,000 each year), injuries from IV catheter stylets rank first in the "blood-filled needles" category ... those that have a high risk of carrying bloodborne pathogens, according to a 1997 EPINet study.

Federal and state legislative efforts to protect healthcare workers abound. The United States Senate (S.1140) and House (H.R. 1899) introduced the "Health Care Worker Needlestick Prevention Act," during 1999; both bills are in committee. In addition, four states (California, Tennessee, Maryland and Texas) have enacted legislation on needlestick prevention and healthcare worker protection. Sixteen more states introduced bills in 1999.

A cost-effective alternative

Hospitals reluctant to adopt safety products due to cost concerns may find products like Introcan Safety IV to be cost efficient. In a recent study co- authored by Lorraine Lucas, Ph.D., vice president of medical and scientific affairs at B. Braun, the Introcan Safety's passive design demonstrated significantly reduced inservice time "because there is no modification of IV insertion technique. Decreased costs associated with staff training will enable healthcare providers to comply with legislative requirements in a more timely and cost-effective manner." Dr. Lucas' study was presented in September 1999 at the annual National Association of Vascular Access Networks meeting in Orlando.

Using safety products such as the Introcan Safety IV can result in additional cost savings from lower insurance premiums, reduced treatment and reporting costs, and less exposure to lawsuits, Dr. Lucas said.

B. Braun - a safety leader since 1989

B. Braun has been a pioneer in the development of products that prevent accidental needlestick injuries. In 1989, the company introduced the world's first passive needlefree IV delivery system, SAFSITE(R), which replaced standard injection caps and needles for injecting, aspirating or infusing fluids and medications through an IV. B. Braun followed with ULTRASITE(R) in 1997, which features a capless, positive pressure valve that prevents fluid from being drawn back toward the valve, thus minimizing catheter occlusions.

As part of a 25,000-professional global organization, B. Braun Melsungen AG, B. Braun Medical Inc. is a broadline healthcare supplier, offering everything from IV devices to critical care products. As the worldwide leader in epidural anesthesia, the company is major player in pain control and features a growing vascular access and interventional product line.

SOURCE B. Braun Medical Inc.

CONTACT: Michael Drabenstott of Stiegler, Wells & Brunswick, 610-866-0611, or mikeswb@swb.com, for B. Braun Medical/
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