PORTLAND, Ore., and DUBLIN, Ohio, June 23, 2010 — HemCon Medical Technologies Inc. today announced the launch of the HemCon© GuardIVa™ Antimicrobial Hemostatic IV Dressing, the only antimicrobial dressing containing both a hemostatic compound and the antiseptic agent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). The company also announced a five-year sole-source distribution agreement with Cardinal Health to provide the new dressing to hospitals and surgery centers in single sterile units and within Cardinal Health Presource® procedure packs.
Because of its proprietary hemostatic compound, GuardIVa can be used in the first 24 hours after placement of IV devices to control bleeding and provide immediate antimicrobial protection to the IV site. GuardIVa is also able to absorb up to 11 times its own weight in fluid, reducing the need for frequent dressing changes.
GuardIVa’s CHG base also provides more effective and sustained antimicrobial activity over a seven-day span than the silver base used in other antimicrobial dressings.1 The use of CHG-based dressings helps protect against micro-organisms such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE).
“GuardIVa’s superior hemostatic and antimicrobial qualities reduce the need for frequent dressing changes and provide a complete and cost-effective solution to help drive patient safety and IV site infection management,” said John W. Morgan, CEO of HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. “We’re excited to be able to partner with Cardinal Health to extend this complete IV site care solution to its customer base of infection specialists and health care professionals leading the charge for infection control.”
Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) are among the ideal applications for GuardIVa.
“We know there is a heightened focus on infection prevention, especially as it relates to catheter-related bloodstream infections,” said Debra Schotz, senior vice president of Patient Care at Cardinal Health. “By including GuardIVa in our portfolio in addition to our full line of Presource standard and custom kits, we’re helping our customers comply with recommendations from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement calling for maximal barrier protection and a kit or central line bundle to improve compliance for catheter insertion and maintenance procedures.” 2
For product information, Cardinal Health customers should contact their nursing products or Presource sales representative. Information is also available through Cardinal Health by calling Jaime Simon at (614) 553-4663 for single sterile use or Crystal Humphreys at (614) 553-5263 for in-kit use.
