Ivera Medical Corporation, a San Diego (CA) based medical device company has launched a new nationwide marketing campaign targeted to help hospitals and other healthcare facilities reduce bloodstream infections (BSI’s).

San Diego Ivera Medical Corporation, a San Diego (CA) based medical device company has launched a new nationwide marketing campaign targeted to help hospitals and other healthcare facilities reduce bloodstream infections (BSI’s).

Worldwide, healthcare systems are challenged by the ongoing need to reduce hospital acquired bloodstream infections. In a recent study, hospital acquired bloodstream infection was cited as the 8th leading cause of death in the US. The source of bloodstream infections is variable, but one likely culprit is the introduction of bacteria into the bloodstream through the access ports located on the intravenous (IV) tubing and, in particular, central line catheters. In use, catheters and tubing are direct extensions of a patient’s bloodstream and their exposed points outside the body pose a serious risk. Catheter related blood stream infections? (CRBSI), Central line associated bloodstream infections? (CLABSI) and other bloodstream infections may occur when there is a failure to properly disinfect these exposed ports prior to access.

Green is Clean…Use Curos™ is a national campaign recently launched by Ivera Medical Corporation which centers on the use of their high visibility green, Curos Port Protector. The Curos Port Protector is a unique, patent pending disinfection cap that twists onto the access ports on IV tubing and central-line catheters providing proper disinfection and protection against exposure to bacteria. “Its vibrant green color and disinfection capabilities offer hospitals, healthcare providers and patients a new level of protection in the efforts to reduce BSI’s”, stated Christine Arme, Ivera VP of Sales.

The current disinfection process of IV access ports relies on the healthcare clinician to perform a 60-90 second port scrub and drying procedure prior to every single access. Unfortunately this procedure is difficult to monitor and verification of compliance to the procedure is virtually impossible. An additional complexity is the disinfection? technique used can vary widely from clinician-to-clinician. Improper technique or failure to perform the procedure can lead to bacteria being introduced into the bloodstream. Used as directed, the Curos Port Protector eliminates variability by providing a consistent and proper disinfection each and every time it is used. When ports are not in use, Curos, in addition to acting as a disinfection cap, remains in place to protect the ports from airborne and touch contamination. The vibrant green color of Curos provides healthcare management a positive visual indicator that can be monitored and measured in terms of patient safety compliance.

Consumer Reports recently highlighted the costs and mortality rate associated with hospital acquired bloodstream infections (www.consumerreports.org). Through the use of Curos and our Green is Clean…Use Curos™ campaign we are providing a tool to a critical process that has been historically difficult to monitor and manage.  “We are excited about our ability to assist healthcare providers improve a process that is a key component in their fight against hospital acquired bloodstream infections and patient safety,” stated Bob Rogers, Ivera’s CEO.