Expanded Line of Antibiotic-Impregnated Catheters from Cook Medical Helps Prevent HAIs

Responding to increased demand for technology to help prevent potentially fatal catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), Cook Medical has expanded its Spectrum Turbo-Ject line of antibiotic impregnated peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) to treat a wider range of patient needs. For the first time, the clinical benefits of minocycline and rifampin-impregnated PICCs, a critical component in eliminating 250,000 potentially fatal CRBSIs in the U.S. annually, are now available in 3 French single and 6 French triple lumen sizes.

By offering the industrys first full line of antibiotic-impregnated PICCs with the industrys best range of contrast media flow rates required for CT scans, Cook Medical is demonstrating continued dedication to empowering nurses to provide quality patient care. Spectrum technologys proven ability to help prevent CRBSIs1 means that patients receiving the Spectrum Turbo-Ject will gain added protection from potentially deadly CRBSIs.

"At Monmouth Medical Center, we strive to be industry leaders in the patient care we provide and our commitment to preventing hospital-acquired infections is unwavering," said Lolita C. Jacobs, RN, FNP-BC, DNP. "We are excited about the expansions to the Spectrum Turbo-Ject product line, which will allow us to offer proven infection prevention to a wider range of patients, augmenting our current efforts to eliminate CRBSIs."

With the expansion of the Spectrum Turbo-Ject product line, clinicians can choose from multiple new catheter configurations, including a larger range of sizes, to meet patient needs:

- Maximum pressure limit settings of 325 psi

- 3 French single lumen with a maximum flow rate of 2 mL/second

- 4 French single lumen with a maximum flow rate of 4 mL/second

- 5 French double lumen with a maximum flow rate of 5 mL/second

- 5 French single and 6 French triple lumen with a maximum flow rate of 7 mL/second, the highest flow rates on the market

- 40, 50 and 60 cm lengths available

"Spectrum products are leading the industry in protecting against potentially deadly CRBSIs," said Dan Sirota, global business leader of Cook Medical's Interventional Radiology business unit. "Cook is providing clinicians with the technology needed to prevent these infections and improve patient outcomes."

Numerous peer-reviewed publications, including a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, have demonstrated both the safety and efficacy of Spectrum technology in preventing the more than 250,000 CRBSIs developed each year. Spectrum technology has been shown to establish zones of inhibition greater than 15 mm for up to 70 days against the leading cause of CRBSIs. Every day, up to 171 people die in the United States from these systemic infections which average $34,508 to $56,000 to treat per infection, making CRBSI prevention a major patient safety and healthcare cost reduction issue.

Cook Spectrum catheters work synergistically to provide broad spectrum protection against gram positive and gram negative organisms in both short- and long-term use. Additionally, research has demonstrated that use of these catheters does not promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in patients receiving Spectrum catheters. In fact, the use of Spectrum technology has demonstrated reduced antibiotic-resistant strains in one single-center study. [Chatzinikolaou L, Hanna H, Graviss L, et al. Clinical Experience with Minocycline and Rifampin-Impregnated Central Venous Catheters in Bone Marrow Transplantation Recipients: Efficacy and Low Risk of Developing Staphylococcal Resistance. Infect Control and Hosp Epidemiology. 2003;24:961-963]

The Cook Spectrum Turbo-Ject will be complimented by the new PICC Procedural Tray, which contains all of the components needed to streamline placement of PICCs bedside or in the interventional radiology lab. The tray provides the components for maximal sterile barrier precautions, a significant part of patient safety and infection control. The tray updates will meet the Joint Commissions 2010 National Patient Safety Goals. The full Cook Spectrum Turbo-Ject product line has U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance and will be available for delivery in the United States beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010.