ICU Medical, Inc. Launches First Hemodialysis Catheter Protection Device

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -- ICU Medical, Inc., a leader in needle-free intravenous connection devices for the healthcare industry, has released the Tego Connector, the first catheter protection device designed specifically for use in hemodialysis treatments. The Tego protects the catheter from contamination during hemodialysis sessions, preventing bloodstream infections for patients and helping prevent revenue losses for dialysis clinics.

"The Tego Connector is a major advancement in the area of hemodialysis treatment," said Dr. George Lopez, founder and CEO of ICU Medical. "This needle-free product is uniquely designed to protect and defend the patient from bloodstream infection like no other product on the market today. The Tego enables dialysis clinics to provide a safer way to provide hemodialysis therapy, giving patients an added level of comfort when they need it most ... as they are faced with a very demanding and draining medical treatment."

In addition to protecting a patient from a bloodstream infection, Tego also helps clinics and hospitals maintain revenues. Last year, more than $40 million was spent on reimbursement for the treatment of bloodstream infections in dialysis patients.  However, when dialysis patients get a bloodstream infection, they have to go to the hospital, requiring them to miss their regularly scheduled dialysis treatment. This results in lost revenues at dialysis treatment centers.

"This creates a tremendous burden for dialysis clinics," said Lopez. "The Tego is designed to address this issue head on -- and relieve the financial burden faced by countless healthcare providers today."

The fact is, about 10 percent of patients with a long-term central venous catheter for chronic hemodialysis will develop a bloodstream infection when using a traditional open hemodialysis delivery system. ICU Medical's Tego Connector creates a mechanically and microbiologically closed system when attached to the hub of the catheter. This closed system eliminates any manipulation of the catheter hub while attaching or removing blood lines, which helps prevent contamination and, consequently, bloodstream infections for the patient.

Source:  ICU Medical, Inc.