Infusion Therapy | Vascular Access Devices | BD Medical

How Things Have Changed

Over the past two years I have taught a lot of students; both RN and LVN's.  I have taught in the classroom and on the job.  I have seen a lot of new equipment that has made our lives easy; however, this is so simple and I dumb founded that I did not think of it. 
Before the BD Autogard Insyte and the B. Braun Introcan angiocatheter devices; we used straight 18 gauge and 20 gauge over-the-catheter needles without any safety device.  There were not even safety shields.  We were taught to stick the patient and throw the needle away immediately.  We were to have the sharps container at the bedside or with close reach so you could dispose of the needle promptly. 
However, statistics have shown us that this was not good practice and that as professionals we still left needles lying around or threw them in the trash by accident.  Then the CDC and NIOSH decided to enact the 2001 Needlestick Safety Act that mandates that all employers provide a needless system and or devices with a safety feature built into it.
Today, it is probably safe to say that most facilities use either the BD Autogard Insyte or the B. Braun Introcan.  Both devices are nice; however, here at Central Valley Medical we are particularly found to the BD Autogard Insyte as it is easy to use, it is made from polyurethane, and it has a sharp bevel with the patented "insta-flash" technology.  The only probably I have ever had is in the following figure.

Well, BD has solved this issue with the BD Autogard Inyte with Blood Control

If the hospital or providers will choose the BD Autogard Insyte with Blood Flow Control; the nurse can remove the needle and not have to worry about holding pressure, spilling, blood, or even bending the catheter.  Using this device solves that issue with a small device inside the hub.
However, once the hub is used by either connecting intravenous tubing or a syringe; it will no longer control the backwards blood flow.  It will only work at the initial intravenous puncture.

An alternate choice is the

BD Nexiva Closed IV Catheter System

 This peripheral catheter is a closed system device and will soon become the preferred choice by most facilities.  It will take some nurses a little while to get use too; especially if the nurse is left handed.  This device is very nice in that the needle is remove from the device in one complete component and it is covered to prevent accidental needlestick injuries. Also, even if you forget to close the clamp you can see from the figure above it has a small, clear, cap that is inserted into the end of the extension tubing and thus it will not leak out.

This new closed system will eliminate the need for both catheter, j-loop tubing, and a clave. The medical provider can either attach the intravenous tubing directly to the extension tubing or add a clave to the end as well.

In either case; both devices handle well, are safe to use, and the cost is average or even better than most of its competitors.  For more information visit:
http://www.bd.com/infusion/products/ivcatheters/iagbc/videos/