New Medline Pediatric Catheter Tray System Helps Clinicians Better Perform Catheterizations for Children

MUNDELEIN, IL–(Marketwire – September 9, 2010) –  As part of Medline’s ERASE CAUTI™ program, created to help clinicians reduce the risk of urinary catheter-associated infections, the company today announced the launch of a pediatric catheter tray designed to help clinicians better perform and manage urinary catheterizations for children. The new tray introduces “Buddy the Brave,” a friendly, upbeat animal character, to help younger patients better manage the catheter process. Buddy is featured on the tray’s packaging, in a children’s activity card and on a bravery sticker.

“Our ‘Buddy the Brave’ character and related materials may help children focus their attention away from the procedure, which will help them to tolerate what can be an unpleasant experience,” said Alecia Cooper, senior vice president of clinical services for Medline. “The ERASE CAUTI system combines evidence-based principles and training with a revolutionary-designed tray to assist the clinician in using a proven and safe method for catheter insertion and maintenance.”

In a survey done on 110,709 pediatric ICU patients, 6,290 healthcare-associated infections were noted. The top three major sites of infections, accounting for 64% of all healthcare-associated infections, were bloodstream infections (28%), pneumonia (21%), and urinary tract infection (15%). Each of these infections was strongly associated with use of an invasive device.¹

The new pediatric tray is the latest addition to Medline’s ERASE CAUTI product line. Similar to the adult version, the new pediatric tray features an innovative one-layer design. The one-layer design (versus the industry norm of two layers) supports and encourages a logical “best practices” sequence of events during catheterization that helps the provider adhere to current recommended healthcare practices. The new tray design is intuitive, reduces variance in care process and promotes efficiency.

Other features of the ERASE CAUTI pediatric catheter tray system include:

Clear photography of tray contents. In Medline’s new pediatric Foley catheter tray, the product instructions and clear color images are located on the outside to encourage clinicians to review the information before they start. To help identify the contents of the kit, the label features an actual color photo of the tray components, including a picture of Buddy the Brave that easily identifies the product as a pediatric tray. The photo can also be used to discuss the procedure with the patient and parent. The outer label opens like a book and on the inside is a clear, step-by-step instructional guide to catheter insertion.

Checklist that helps practitioners “do the right thing.” The outer label contains “trigger tools,” according to Cooper, to promote the recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A checklist of clinical indications for catheterization is printed on a peel-off sticker. The checklist is formatted to easily fit in the patient chart or medical record. It is also available in an electronic format for electronic documentation.

Buddy the Brave Activity Card and family education resource. To keep young patients distracted from the medical procedure, an activity card is included in the tray. The card includes a story featuring Buddy the Brave, a word find game and a maze. The activity card also provides useful family education on urinary catheters and the catheterization process.

Competency validation tools. A key component to the effectiveness of the ERASE CAUTI program is the cutting edge online competency and measurement tools that assess and sustain staff results. The interactive competency programs are available on Medline University, Medline’s online education resource. They are available to staff anytime and can be easily incorporated into the annual skills competency program for a facility’s nursing staff.

About Medline Industries, Inc.
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended-care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., Medline has more than 900 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest-growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 450 major hospitals and healthcare systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities and on-staff clinicians.