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Infusion Therapy Market Analysis: Medical/Surgical

Needleless connectors will play a key role in growth in the infusion therapy market, according to a report published by iData Research.

Tue May 01 2012By Dr. Kamran Zamanian, Jamie Stillborn, Medical Dealer Magazine

Needleless connectors will play a key role in growth in the infusion therapy market, according to a report published by iData Research. Needless connectors have been used in U.S. health care since the 1980s, but it was not until late 2000, after the passage of the Needlestick Prevention Act, that medical facilities were required to evaluate and implement needle-free technology and track their needlestick injuries.
 

Three kinds of displacement can occur when using mechanical valve needleless connectors: positive, negative and neutral displacement, though there is market confusion over what constitutes each.
 

In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert about positive displacement mechanical valves and an increased incidence of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). FDA findings showed increased infection rates when the devices were used and a decrease in infection rates after changing to another type of needleless connector. The FDA recommended that health care facilities track their own incidences of bloodstream infections and assess the level of risk at their facility. The report and subsequent commentary from the FDA have caused a shift in the market in terms of device usage and marketing terms.

The different displacement types have yet to be agreed upon industry-wide, and are used primarily as marketing terms instead of definitive categories. Because of this, some companies have started reclassifying their positive displacement devices due to the bloodstream infection concerns raised by the FDA, resulting in more confusion within an already puzzling market. Some clinicians have reverted to the used of more simple split septum/blunt cannula devices, which have straight fluid pathways with no mechanical parts. Not only are medical professionals familiar with the use of these simple connectors, but they can also broadly be classified as negative displacement devices, a displacement type that does not have an increased risk of CRBSI.

Concerns about infections and changes made to Medicare and Medicaid that prevent the reimbursement of common conditions caused by catheter-related infections have caused a rise in the use of antimicrobial mechanical valves. These devices have an antibacterial component on the inside or outside that inhibits bacteria growth and reduces the risk of infection...

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