CORRECTING and REPLACING SwabCap Improves Disinfection, Allowing a Reduction in Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, First Major Clinical Trial Concludes

Disinfection Cap for Needleless IV Connectors Allows Reduction in Bloodstream Infections by 79 Percent

CORRECTION...by Dowling & Dennis PR

NEPTUNE, N.J.--()--This version replaces the press release issued by Excelsior Medical last Thursday, May 5, 2011.

The corrected release reads:

SWABCAP IMPROVES DISINFECTION, ALLOWING A REDUCTION IN CATHETER-RELATED BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS, FIRST MAJOR CLINICAL TRIAL CONCLUDES

Disinfection Cap for Needleless IV Connectors Allows Reduction in Bloodstream Infections by 79 Percent

Early results of a prospective, peer-reviewed clinical trial demonstrated SwabCap® improved disinfection and allowed for reduced central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates by more than 79% in a four-hospital system according to a scientific poster presented at the recent meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

Contamination of the patients’ catheters was greatly reduced by switching to the disinfection cap for needleless IV connectors, said researchers at NorthShore University HealthSystem (Evanston, Ill.).

The improved disinfection and reductions in contamination were achieved with SwabCap use on all central lines, even though the hospitals already had a low CLABSI rate of 1.95 per 1,000 catheter days before introduction of the disinfection cap.

“This is by far the most extensive study data on the disinfection cap to date. It leads us to conclude that the device shows considerable promise as a tool for reducing CLABSIs,” said Marc-Oliver Wright, MT(ASCP), MS, CIC, lead author and the director of infection control at NorthShore University HealthSystem. “There was a statistically significant reduction in intraluminal contamination when the cap was used, which likely explains the favorable impacts on CLABSIs.”

In addition to lower CLABSI rates, researchers also reported on the density of the colony-forming units in blood samples, as another way to compare the disinfection cap to the manual, alcohol pad method of connector disinfection. During the SwabCap phase, there was a reduction of 75% in the average number of colony forming units counted in the samples.

SwabCap is a simple twist-on device that is intended to be used between catheter-line accesses as a supplement to manual disinfection. The FDA-cleared device passively disinfects the connector top and threads. It can only be attached to the connector one way, which helps eliminate variation.

As the cap is twisted onto the threads, a foam pad inside the cap is compressed, releasing 70% isopropyl alcohol that continually bathes the top and threads while the cap is in place. The twisting action and the patent-pending thread cover design help focus the alcohol on the targeted areas. The cap also acts as a physical barrier to touch and airborne contamination, lasting up to 96 hours under normal conditions if not removed.

Finally, the cap improves compliance because when the bright orange cap is observed in place on the connector, compliance is visually confirmed.

The poster presented at SHEA was titled “Continuous Passive Disinfection of Luer Access Valves to Prevent Contamination.” In addition to Wright, study co-authors were Jackie Tropp, RN, MSN, Sue Boehm, RN, Donna M. Hacek, MT(ASCP), and Lance R. Peterson, MD, all of NorthShore. The SHEA conference was held April 1-4 in Dallas.

Excelsior Medical Corporation, the maker of SwabCap, recently received FDA 510(k) clearance for SwabFlush™, the only IV catheter flush syringe that provides a disinfection cap built into the plunger of the syringe. SwabFlush combines SwabCap and Excelsior's ZR™ pre-filled flush syringe so that a nurse accessing an IV catheter line can use the two SwabFlush components (saline flush syringe and SwabCap) to flush the line and cap it. SwabFlush replaces the final saline flush syringe.

SwabFlush promotes compliance with required protocols for both catheter flushing and disinfection of IV connectors.

About Excelsior Medical Corporation

Excelsior Medical Corporation is a privately held company with a primary focus on innovative catheter maintenance products that may reduce infection, medication errors and healthcare costs. The company makes SwabCap, SwabKIT™ and SwabFlush for disinfection and protection of IV needleless connectors. Formed in 1989, Excelsior also manufactures markets and sells prefilled saline flush syringes, prefilled heparin flush and lock syringes, and syringe pump systems to customers throughout the world.

For more information, call toll-free 800-487-4276 or access www.excelsiormedical.com.

Contacts

Dowling & Dennis Public Relations
Liz Dowling, 415-388-2794
Liz@DowlingDennis.net

Release Summary

Early results of a clinical trial demonstrated SwabCap® allowed reduction of CLABSI rates by more than 79% in a four-hospital system according to a poster presentation at SHEA.

Contacts

Dowling & Dennis Public Relations
Liz Dowling, 415-388-2794
Liz@DowlingDennis.net