Medela Receives Innovative Technology Designation from Vizient for GraviFeed and Guardian Warmer

MCHENRY, Ill., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medela LLC, the #1 recommended breast pump brand*, announced its neonatal enteral feeding products, GraviFeed and Guardian Warmer have both received a 2017 Innovative Technology designation from Vizient, Inc., the largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country. The designation was based on direct feedback from hospital experts who interacted with both products at the Vizient Innovative Technology Exchange in Denver in September.

The innovative technology designation from Vizient recognized two of Medela's enteral feeding products designed for use in the hospital environment as part of the nasogastric feeding and accessories category:

• Guardian Warmer provides optimal temperature milk directly to an infant during enteral pump feeds. The waterless Guardian warmer allows for the feed to be warmed during the delivery process, which minimizes cooling. The design features a heated metal track to contain the extension set and continuously warm the feed as it passes through the tubing. The Guardian Warmer also features details that benefit use in a neonatal feeding environment, like an indicator light that illuminates when the lid is closed, powered on and warming and a suction cup accessory for hanging when preferred.

• GraviFeed is a closed solution ideal for mess-free gravity feeding and venting in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). With a hydrophobic filter built into the lid that allows air to pass through, it creates a closed gravity feeding solution and eliminates the need for costly plungers. Featuring a snap-tight lid, the GraviFeed Syringe Lid minimizes exposure to airborne particulates or contamination while preventing the loss of enteral fluid. With no need for plungers and no gauze required for after-feeding venting, GraviFeed is an economical solution that is simple to use and easy to identify in the hospital environment.

"Medela has focused its 50-year commitment to developing research-based innovations and helping to support the health of infants and moms," said Melissa Gonzales, managing director of Medela USA. "We are proud to be recognized by Vizient, as it reflects our promise to supporting every mom and baby. We believe that every drop counts, especially in the NICU, and we've intentionally designed our products to make it easier to provide every baby with the life-giving benefits of breast milk, wherever their journey begins."

"Hospitals and providers are looking for innovations that offer unique and cumulative benefit over other products available on the market today. The feedback on the GraviFeed and Guardian Warmer by attendees at our Innovative Technology Exchange was strongly in favor of assigning this technology an Innovative Technology designation. Congratulations to Medela on receiving this status," said Debbie Archer, director of procurement and Vizient Innovative Technology Program lead.

Vizient represents a diverse membership base that includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute health care providers and represents more than $100 billion in annual purchasing volume. Through its Innovative Technology Program, Vizient works with member-led councils and task forces to review potentially innovative products. If it is determined that a product is innovative, Vizient may award a contract outside of the competitive bid cycle.

To learn more about Medela's complete enteral feeding system, visit the website. To request information about how to purchase, use this online form or contact a Medela field sales consultant.

About Medela

Founded in 1961, Medela is led by Michael Larsson and concentrates on two business units: "Human Milk," providing research-based breast milk feeding solutions, and "Healthcare," engineering and manufacturing medical vacuum technology solutions. Medela is headquartered in Switzerland and has 18 subsidiaries, distributing its products to more than 100 countries throughout the world. For more information, visit www.Medela.com.

About Medela LLC

Medela's US-based manufacturing and development facility is headquartered in McHenry, Illinois. Every year, more than one million mothers in the U.S. rely on Medela's technology. As the #1 breast pump brand*, Medela provides the best in research-based breast milk feeding products and clinical education to support moms' breast milk feeding journey. The company is fully dedicated to supporting mothers so that they can provide breast milk to their baby for as long as they choose. For more information, visit www.MedelaBreastfeedingUS.com.

*QuintilesIMS ProVoice Survey; Nov-Oct 2016.

Medela wordmark and logo, GraviFeed, Guardian Warmer are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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SOURCE Medela