Press Releases

DUBLIN, Ohio, June 25, 2007 — Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of health care, today launched a new line of surgical procedure packs designed to help hospitals prevent central line infections while improving supply management efficiency.

 

 

The new line of products was introduced at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) annual meeting hosted in San Jose, Calif., June 24-28.

 

According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), 15 million incidents of medical harm occur each year in the United States – and approximately 14,000 deaths occur, annually, as a result of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI).  Many of these bloodstream infections are caused by bacteria growing on central line catheters that are inserted into great vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary artery and common femoral veins, among others. Central line infections are of particular concern because when infections grow in great vessels, they can quickly and easily spread through the patient’s bloodstream.

 

Earlier this year, IHI recommended that hospitals implement a set of interventions known as the “Central Line Bundle” for all patients requiring a central line catheter, to improve patient safety and prevent central-line associated infections. Products within Presource^® Central Line Insertion Packs for Non-Procedural Areas have been designed by clinicians to complement IHI- recommended components of the “Central Line Bundle,” which include hand hygiene, maximal barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, optimal catheter site selection and the daily review of line necessity with prompt removal of unnecessary lines.

 

Designed specifically for the nursing unit, intensive care unit, neonatal unit, emergency room and pre-operative, recovery and cancer units, the Presource^® Central Line Insertion Packs for Non-Procedural Areas can help prevent central line infections in these environments, where sterile practices and techniques may be limited. 

 

“We know preventing surgical site infections and improving efficiency are key concerns of health-care providers, nationwide,” said Brik Eyre, president of Cardinal Health’s Presource^® Products and Services business. “We’re excited to launch our two new standard central line insertion packs, because they can help hospitals prevent central line infections and save lives while also improving the cost of central line procedures.”

 

In addition, Presource^® Central Line Insertion Packs for Procedural Areas complement the practice of aseptic technique, which is practiced in the operating room and during interventional radiology procedures, upon the insertion of a central line. The aseptic technique requires that a face mask, gloves and gowns are worn and that scrub sinks are readily available.  

Both types of packs – for non-procedural areas and procedural areas – contain unique products including the Convertors^® Line Insertion Draping System, which features a three-part draping system with the flexibility to access a variety of insertion sites while providing full-body coverage. The packs also contain BIOPATCH^® antimicrobial dressing with chlorhexidine, which has been proven to reduce incidence of CRBSI and local infections¹.

 

Pre-configured with all the components needed for central line insertion procedures, the new Presource^® procedure packs can also help hospitals more accurately project and contain procedure costs by reducing waste and ensuring that safe, cost-efficient, standard components are used in each central line insertion procedure.

 

With a team comprised of trained and experienced clinicians, Cardinal Health’s Presource^® team has been designing, delivering and adapting innovative, comprehensive supply chain management solutions that improve operational efficiency for more than 30 years.  This team of trained clinicians works with each hospital to first identify specific challenges and needs, and then tailors custom solutions that meet those unique needs.

 

As with all Presource^® surgical procedure packs, custom configurations are also available. Hospitals interested in learning more may contact Cardinal Health at 800.964.5227.

 

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is an $80 billion, global company serving the health-care industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients.  With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies, including Alaris^® IV pumps, Pyxis^® automated dispensing systems, MedMined^® data mining software and the CareFusion^™ patient identification system.  The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide.  Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500 and No. 1 in its sector on Fortune's ranking of Most Admired firms, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on five continents.  More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com.