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Cardinal Health Announces Cost-effective System For Safe Handling Of Hazardous Drugs
05/03/2006
SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2006 – Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH), the leading provider of products and services supporting the health-care industry, has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510K clearance to market its new Texium™ closed male luer, a new technology that, when partnered with a SmartSite® needle-free valve, will help health-care workers safely handle hazardous drugs.
Studies have shown medications used to treat some patients can cause toxicity to health-care workers that prepare and administer them. These drugs, categorized as “hazardous,” often include chemotherapy treatments. Key industry organizations such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) recommend adopting closed systems to minimize drips, leaks or spills of the drug to help eliminate surface contamination and exposure.
“Although the potential therapeutic benefits of hazardous drugs such as chemotherapy agents outweigh the risks of side effects for oncology patients, exposed health-care workers are at risk to these same side effects with no therapeutic benefit,” said Carol Zilm, president of the Medication Products business of Cardinal Health. “While the Alaris® System* with Guardrails® Suite MX safety software protects the patient from potential harm, the Texium™ closed male luer partnered with SmartSite® needle-free valve products can reduce the chance a clinician will be exposed to chemotherapy drugs and experience harmful side effects.”
The Texium™ closed male luer helps address these concerns by providing the following features:
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No-drip-tip technology to help prevent drips, spillage and surface contamination
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Lock-and-go design provides a fast and easy connection to the SmartSite® needle-free valve to achieve a closed system
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Passive safety system that closes upon disconnection to help prevent exposure and protect against free-flow
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Automatic safety lock, which provides for safe transport of hazardous drugs when attached to a syringe
The Guardrails® Suite MX safety software for the Alaris® System was released on Sept. 30, 2005. The Alaris® System is a comprehensive IV-safety system for all types of infusions and the only system available with the ability to protect both total dose and duration of intermittent drug infusions including chemotherapy. It is the first and only system available to offer a modular platform that includes infusion therapy and patient monitoring for enhanced patient safety at the bedside.
Cardinal Health will also host a symposium at the Oncology Nursing Society Annual Congress titled, “Oncology Safety: Safe Environment/Safe Practice for Patients and Providers,” Friday, May 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. This symposium will provide information on how implementing smart pumps and new systems for safely handling hazardous drugs can enhance patient safety, improve clinical outcomes and promote a safer workplace for oncology nurses. Speakers include Sharon Steingass, RN, MSN, AOCN; Marty Polovich, MN, RN, AOCN, and Luci Power, MS, RPh.Send an e-mail to rsvp@cardinal.com to register (space is limited).
*Alaris® System formerly known as the Medley® System.
About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $75 billion, global company serving the health care industry with a broad portfolio of products and services. It manufactures, packages, and distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, offers a range of clinical services and develops automation products that improve the management and delivery of supplies and medication for hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies. Through this diverse offering, Cardinal Health delivers integrated health care solutions that help customers reduce their costs, improve efficiency and deliver better care to patients. Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 55,000 people on six continents. More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com.
