SOMERVILLE, N.J., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- ETHICON, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Company, today announced that BIOPATCH((R)) Protective Disk with CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) will include new design elements and updated packaging to make it easier for surgeons, nurses and other healthcare providers to apply the product correctly around catheters to reduce the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Distribution of BIOPATCH((R)) with the enhanced design and packaging began on August 10, 2009 and the product will be available nationwide by mid-August.
The enhanced design and packaging for BIOPATCH((R)) includes easy-to-follow instructions and clearly marked “up” arrows to signify correct application with respect to skin orientation of the product. This new design is intended to provide clear and immediate guidance on the application of BIOPATCH((R)) with each use. In addition, BIOPATCH((R)) packaging now features color-coded elements designed to instantly identify the size and center-hole diameter of the product.
In the U.S., approximately 80,000 central venous CRBSIs are estimated to occur each year in ICU patients. CRBSIs are associated with extended hospital stays, requiring an estimated 9-12 additional days in hospital. According to the CDC, the cost of treating a CRBSI can range from $34,508 - $56,000. The average cost of the BIOPATCH((R)) product is approximately $6.
BIOPATCH((R)) is marketed by ETHICON, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. ETHICON continues Johnson & Johnson’s 100-year commitment to wound care today with innovative products for general surgery, wound management, women’s health and urology, aesthetic medicine and wound closure. For more information about ETHICON visit www.ethicon.com.
SOURCE ETHICON, Inc.
CONTACT: Stephen Zoegall, PhD, Berry & Co. Public Relations,
+1-212-253-8881, szoegall@berrypr.com
Web site: http://www.ethicon.com/
