Electronic Health Reporter

At the 41^st Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), CareFusion (NYSE:CFN), a leading global medical technology company, will launch three new products that are designed to help reduce surface contamination or the presence of microorganisms that can potentially cause infections during hospital stays and procedures.

The ChloraPrep 1mL applicator is a new addition to the ChloraPrep line of preoperative skin preparation products. It provides clinicians with a unique applicator design and the same formulation they know and trust in a new 1 mL size. With its unique delivery system and winged activation design, the 1 mL applicator is easy to use and can help promote aseptic techniques and best practices. ChloraPrep skin prep products have been proven to be more effective than povidone-iodine at eliminating microorganisms on the skin that may cause infection.[1][2][3]

The ChloraShield IV dressing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) antimicrobial is a flexible and breathable dressing, that enhances patient care during vascular access procedures. The dressing features BeneHold^™ CHG, an innovative adhesive technology from Vancive Medical Technologies™, an Avery Dennison business, which comfortably secures the dressing to the skin, absorbs fluid and protects the site from external contaminants. The CHG incorporated within the adhesive preserves the dressing from microbial growth. ChloraShield dressings are designed to be easy for clinicians to apply and remove, and comfortable for patients to wear. CareFusion is the exclusive distributor of the dressing in North America.

The MaxZero needleless connector from CareFusion is a new extension to a proprietary portfolio of needleless connectors and is designed to help improve patient safety and promote nursing best practices. With a solid, sealed surface, the connector provides a barrier to bacteria and contamination and enables effective three second disinfection with an alcohol pad. The design of the MaxZero needleless connector prevents reflux of blood into the catheter at disconnect and also has a smaller profile. A clear fluid path enhances flushing and anti-reflux technology prevents the need for a clamping sequence, helping save nurses time and reducing process steps.

In addition to new products, new data is being presented on tools that can improve patient compliance with physician cleansing instructions and how increased compliance can affect the amount of antiseptic present on the skin. A unique reminder system to improve bathing compliance is one of the key features to the StartClean Cleansing Program from CareFusion, where patients receive a 4 percent CHG cleanser with disposable sponges and an individualized service that contacts patients via text, email, or voice message reminding them to use the cleanser in accordance with physician instructions. The data will be presented by Dr. Charles Edmiston from the Medical College of Wisconsin during a poster presentation on Saturday, June 7 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Additional highlights in CareFusion booth #911 at the APIC conference include:

• CareFusion Focus on Quality Care Initiative: CareFusion is helping facilities on the path to quality improvement by supporting their efforts to standardize and reduce variability. Learn about the tools, training and tactics hospitals need to help reduce variability and improve patient care.
• MedMined Surveillance Advisor: Ranked as the #1 Infection Surveillance tool by KLAS  in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013, MedMined services offer infection surveillance and reporting, and is the only surveillance service on the market today with a HFMA peer reviewed ROI model designed to deliver actual costs savings driven by reductions in HAIs.
• Surgical Clippers: The new line of surgical clippers was designed with input from clinicians and offers new features that make them more ergonomic and intuitive to use, as well as easier to clean, stronger and more energy efficient.
• Surgicept Waterless Surgical Hand Scrub: In a blind study, 78 percent of surgical staffers preferred Surgicept Waterless Surgical Hand Scrub over Avagard Surgical Hand Antiseptic.[4] The unique formulation of Surgicept Waterless Surgical Hand Scrub includes emollients that counter the drying effects of alcohol, and because it dries quickly, gloving is faster and easier.
• ChloraPrep preoperative skin preparation: The 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70 percent isopropyl alcohol formulation provides rapid-acting and persistent antiseptic activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.[5] ChloraPrep applicators promote gentle friction scrub to help the solution penetrate the first five layers of the stratum corneum, where 80 percent of microorganisms reside.[6] The proprietary ChloraPrep applicator promotes aseptic technique and reduces the risk of direct hand-to-patient contact, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.[7]

About CareFusion Corporation
CareFusion (NYSE: CFN) is a global corporation serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals measurably improve the safety and quality of care. The company develops industry-leading technologies including Alaris^® infusion pumps and IV sets, MaxPlus^® and MaxZero^™ IV connectors and sets, Pyxis^® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, AVEA^®, LTV^® series and AirLife^® ventilation and respiratory products, ChloraPrep^® products, MedMined^® services for data mining surveillance, V. Mueller^® surgical instruments, and an extensive line of products that support interventional medicine. CareFusion employs approximately 15,000 people across its global operations. More information may be found at www.carefusion.com.

[1] Saltzman MD, Nuber GW, Gryzlo SM, Marecek GS, Koh JL. Efficacy of surgical preparation solutions in shoulder surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91(8):1949–1953.
[2] Ostrander RV, Botte MJ, Brage ME. Efficacy of surgical preparation solutions in foot and ankle surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):980–985.
[3] Adler MT, Brigger KR, Bishop KD, Mastrobattista JM. Comparison of bactericidal properties of alcohol-based chlorhexidine versus povidone-iodine prior to amniocentesis. Am J Perinatol. 2012;29(6):455–458. Epub 2012 Mar 7.
[4] Surgical scrub comparison market research. Bernstein-Rein, 2010.
[5] Denton GW. Chlorhexidine. In: Block SS. Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001:321-336.
[6] Brown E, Wenzel RP, Hendley JO. Exploration of the microbial anatomy of normal human skin by using plasmid profiles of coagulase-negative staphylococci: search for the reservoir pf resident skin flora. J Infect Dis. 1989;160(4):644-650.
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2007. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/isolation/Isolation2007.pdf.