New U.S. Market Data Shows ICU Medical, Inc.'s Needlefree IV Connector Technology Chosen More than Twice as Often as Any Other

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ICU Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICUI) today announced that its family of needlefree intravenous (IV) connectors was chosen by U.S. healthcare providers more than twice as often as any other connector technology according to newly released full year 2012 market intelligence data from independent research company Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX).1

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Each of ICU Medical’s needlefree connectorsincluding the NeutronTM catheter patency device, the MicroClave® Clear neutral displacement needlefree connector, and the NanoClaveTM low profile needlefree connectorincorporates the company’s foundational split septum and internal blunt cannula technology. Together with the original Clave® and MicroClave® connectors, ICU Medical’s technology accounted for 43% of the needlefree connector market in the United States in 2012. The next leading technology, CareFusion’s MaxPlus®/MaxPlus® Clear, reportedly accounted for only 21% of the market.

The design of a needlefree IV connector plays a substantial role in the ability to limit hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI).2 The neutral displacement straight fluid path design, split-septum and minimal deadspace of ICU Medical’s connector technology work together to help minimize blood reflux into the tip of the catheter upon connection or disconnection of the luer and has been clinically proven to provide an effective microbial barrier against bacteria transfer and contamination.3,4 Additional technology integrated into the Neutron allows that device to further reduce blood reflux into the catheter and has been shown to help reduce catheter occlusions by as much as 50% as a result.5

“As the company that created the market for safe IV connectors with the invention of the original ClickLock in 1984, we’re proud that clinicians choose our technology more than twice as often as any other,” explained ICU Medical CEO Dr. George Lopez. “And as the inventor of these technologies, it’s gratifying to see so many patients kept safe as a result of our work.”

Contact: Tom McCall
Vice President, Marketing
949-366-4368
tmccall@icumed.com

About ICU Medical, Inc.: ICU Medical, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells innovative medical devices used in vascular therapy, oncology and critical care applications. ICU Medical’s products improve patient outcomes by helping prevent bloodstream infections and protecting healthcare workers from exposure to infectious diseases or hazardous drugs. The company’s complete product line includes custom IV systems, closed delivery systems for hazardous drugs, needlefree IV connectors, catheters and cardiac monitoring systems. ICU Medical is headquartered in San Clemente, California. More information about ICU Medical, Inc. can be found at www.icumed.com.

1 Global Healthcare Exchange(GHX) Market Intelligence data. Connectors, Needleless, Parenterals, [92-100]. Q1-Q4 2012. Includes stand-alone needlefree connectors and ancillary direct access devices (two-piece, hemodialysis, non-swab-able, and non-patient contact connectors excluded).
2 Jarvis W., MD. Choosing the Best Design for Intravenous Needleless Connectors to Prevent Bloodstream Infections. Infection Control Today, August 2010 View >
3 Ryder M, RN, PhD. Bacterial transfer through needlefree connectors: Comparison of nine different devices. Poster presented at the Annual Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) conference 2007, Abstract 412.
4 Moore C, RN, MBA, CIC. Maintained Low Rate of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections (CR-BSIs) After Discontinuation of a Luer Access Device (LAD) At an Academic Medical Center. Poster presented at the annual Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Conference 2010, Abstract 4-028
5 ICU Medical Study Summary. Observational In-Vivo Evaluation of the Neutron Needlefree Catheter Patency Device and its Effects on Catheter Occlusions in a Home Care Setting, 2011

SOURCE ICU Medical, Inc.

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