Study adds to growing body of evidence showing benefits of subcutaneous anchor systems for PICC securement

FERNDALE, Mich. – Vascular access expert Michelle Hawes, DNP, RN, CRNI, VA-BC, will present the results of a large retrospective study on PICC securement at the upcoming 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Association for Vascular Access, according to Eloquest Healthcare, Inc., a privately held medical device company.
 

In her exhibitor-sponsored Vascular Access Talk, Hawes will discuss this groundbreaking study, which shows that using subcutaneous anchors to secure catheters is more effective than using an adhesive securement device (ASD). Published in the Journal of Vascular Access in August 2023, the study included more 9,200 oncology patients from 2009 to 2020, covering more than a million catheter days – making it the largest study of its kind to date.
 

Researchers examined two types of securement - a subcutaneous anchor securement system (SASS) and an ASD – and compared outcomes for migration, dislodgement, and reaching the end of catheter need. According to Hawes, the results were “clear and impressive,” demonstrating the SASS's superiority in reducing the incidence of migration and dislodgement compared to an ASD.
 

Study Highlights

• ASDs put patients at 36 times greater risk of PICC dislodgement compared to SecurAcath
• Incidence of unplanned catheter replacements was only 4% with SecurAcath, compared to 12% for ASDs
• Prior to SecurAcath implementation, only 77% of patients and their PICCs made it to end of need without required replacement. By 2020, 99% of patients with a SecurAcath finished their course of need with one catheter

The study adds to a growing body of research showing the benefits of SecurAcath^®, the only commercially available SASS. This includes a 2020 study that showed reduced risk of bloodstream infections and a 2022 study that evaluated safety and efficacy outcomes for CVAD securement options.

Hawes will present “Keep it Simple Specialist: One Securement Device, One PICC, Until the End of Need,” on Sunday, October 15 at 1 p.m. PDT.

Other noteworthy CVAD dressing and securement posters to be featured at AVA include:

• Anchoring a Lifeline for Over 5 Years: A Patient Case Report  Thomas Petry, PA-C & Amber Whisenand, BSN, RN, VA-BC - GBMC Healthcare, Baltimore, MD
• Finding Zero: One Vascular Access Team’s Journey to Improve Patient Care  Molly Judge, BSN, RN, CRNI, VA-BC, Amy Mugford, BSN, RN, VA-BC & Dawn C. Turner, BSN, RN, VA-BC
• Using Audit, Education, and Gum Mastic Liquid Adhesive to Reduce Infection Risk, Improve Vascular Access Dressing Integrity & Patient Safety  Logan Doyle, BSN, RN, VA-BC & Christina Greene, BSN, RN, VA-BC - Healthtrust Workforce Solutions, Charleston, SC

In addition, Eloquest Healthcare will be sponsoring a Pediatric/Neonatal Reception on Friday, October 13 at 5:30 PDT, immediately following the Pre-Meeting Hands-on Workshop: Pediatric and Neonatal PICC Insertion Course. Reception admission is included for those participating in the Pre-meeting Workshop. Tickets may also be purchased at an additional charge.
 

The Association for Vascular Access 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting will be held October 14-17, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. For more information about SecurAcath or Mastisol^® Liquid Adhesive, visit Eloquest Healthcare at Booth 603.

About Eloquest Healthcare

Eloquest Healthcare, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferndale Pharma Group, Inc. Eloquest is committed to improving patient outcomes by reducing vascular access complications and hospital-acquired infections. Their products are backed by evidence demonstrating safety and efficacy. Eloquest aims to reduce total cost of care through reduced waste and improved efficiency. More information can be found at www.eloquesthealthcare.com.

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