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External Reusable

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Reusable External Catheter - Male Urinals, Male Sheath Urinal, Urological Catheters, External Reusable.

of catheter securement tech for MMs, clinicians

In addition to reducing patient infection rates, catheter securement devices are arousing interest among materials managers for their ability to cut back on costly tape and gauze supplies.

Reusable securement pieces cost less than $1 each, whereas re-applying tape to a catheter puncture site costs about 50 cents, said Richard Lopez, sales manager for Ocala, CA-based Zefron International, which makes the K-Lok securement device. He said catheter securement technology has been on the market for approximately four years.

Lopez said manufacturers in the United States, and overseas distributors, are inquiring about packing the K-Loc in their catheter kits.

He estimated that about 20 percent to 25 percent of materials management departments purchase the gadgets, but added that experience tells him new items usually take five or six years to gain true popularity.

Because of the devices' self-holding design, purchasing departments have less cause to buy curved- and straight-suture needles traditionally used for puncturing holding sites, said company representatives.

"You can't eliminate sutures because the old guard still wants them, but some catheter securement devices, such as the Statlock, has an adjustable wing so you can use any type of dressing with it," said Stephen Cotner, an IV therapist and nurse for Veterans Affairs Hospital, St. Louis.

Survey findings

Gregory Schears, an anesthesiologist and critical care physician in pediatrics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, recently conducted comparative surveys of clinicians using the StatLock versus traditional tape and sutures on patients. The tests were funded by Venetec International, San Diego, makers of StatLock.

Schears found 14 peripherally inserted central (PIC) catheter migrations occurred when employing tape, but only six associated with the StatLock. In addition, Schears noted lower costs from complications: $7.83 per dressing tape change and only $3.07 for the StatLock.

"By keeping the catheter well in place, StatLock devices reduces maintenance, which can be a huge cost advantage," he said.

In a second study of 50 young patients, Schears reported 6.4 minutes was required to insert a suture-secured catheter, while the StatLock's time was 2.4 minutes. Another study of 85 adult patients showed 4.7 minutes was required to secure a catheter with sutures and 2.7 minutes with the StatLock. External Reusable, Male Absorbant Pouch, McGuire Male Urinal

One question indicated that 10 of 10 clinicians were satisfied with Venetec's product, while nine of 10 expressed satisfaction with sutures.