IV Derma-Safe® Meeting The Need

The medical communities have long understood the need to improve infusion care by replacing the traditional tape set up used for peripheral IV catheters (PIV). The Infusion Nurses Society has published Standard 43: Catheter Stabilization, which notes the need to reduce the risk of infection and catheter migration or dislodgment. Their recommendation is the use of a manufactured catheter stabilization device rather than using traditional tape setups to secure peripheral IV lines.

Thirty hospitals participated in a study to examine healthcare acquired infections (HAI) (Cost of Healthcare-associated Infections, DJ Anderson et al). These hospitals reported a cost close to $50M spent on HAIs in one year. While this number represents all HAIs, a significant cost is associated with tape related skin tears or irritation and any subsequent infections (i.e. MRSA).

Studies conducted comparing manufactured catheter securement devices vs. the traditional tape application found that the manufactured devices had several advantages over the tape method. Most significant is that dwell times (length of time the IV remains in place) are increased and catheter motion or dislodgement is reduced. These factors contribute to the decreased need for restarts which consequently reduces the incidence of accidental needlestick exposures for healthcare providers.