Baxa Corporation Launches Educational Campaign Highlighting the Risks of Enteral Tubing Misconnections

Englewood, Colo. – Baxa Corporation announces the launch of a new educational campaign promoting the use of dedicated enteral systems for enteral feeding. The campaign highlights the risks to neonates when syringes, administration sets and other disposables with luer fittings are used for non-IV applications such as enteral feeding. While tubing misconnections can be deadly for any patient, neonates represent the highest risk population due to their small size and other health complications. Components of the campaign include a direct marketing piece, technical white papers, Web site, press releases, participation in industry lobbying efforts and the development of products that eliminate the risks.

The campaign launch closely follows the January 2007 release by the Joint Commission of their proposed 2008 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) for comment. The NPSG draft recommends that providers take steps to prevent catheter and tubing misconnections. In their Sentinel Event Alert released April 3, 2006, the Joint Commission stated that a standard luer syringe should “never” be used for oral medications or enteral feedings. Devices that incorporate a ‘forcing function’ – physically preventing misconnection – provide the best means for patient safety and compliance.

“Our goal was to raise awareness of the issue through the campaign and eliminate the risk with product improvements,” says Katie Calabrese, neonatal nurse practitioner and Baxa product manager. “These improvements needed to completely remove the luer connections from this application.” Baxa Exacta-Med® Enteral Syringes, included in some of the campaign materials, are the first medication dispensers designed only for enteral feeding. They incorporate a unique dispenser tip that cannot connect to a luer device, and distinctive enteral marking, orange lettering and stripe to coordinate with dedicated enteral tube sets. When used with the VIASYS MedSystems CORFLO® Anti-IV Enteral Feeding System, the Baxa enteral syringes combine to form a dedicated system that prevents wrong-route administration of non-IV fluids. The microsite http://www.baxa.com/helpthemgrow features campaign information and support materials.

Since 1975, Baxa Corporation’s focus has been to provide technology for health-system pharmacies that improves patient safety, reduces the risk of medication errors and facilitates compliance to USP, JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Latex-free Baxa enteral syringes fit the needs of pharmacy, nursing and outpatient caregivers for safe medication administration. The wider tip design of the Exacta-Med Dispensers was developed in cooperation with representatives and customers from premier children’s hospitals worldwide.

About Baxa Corporation

Baxa, a customer-focused medical device company, provides innovative, solution-based technologies for fluid handling and delivery. Its systems and devices promote the safe and efficient preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of fluid medications. Privately held, Baxa Corporation has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada and the United Kingdom; direct representation in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.baxa.com

About VIASYS Healthcare Inc.

VIASYS Healthcare Inc. is a global, research-based medical technology company focused on respiratory, neurology, medical disposable and orthopedic products. VIASYS products are marketed under well-recognized trademarks including, among others, AVEA®, BEAR®, BIRD®, CORFLO®, CORPAK®, CORTRAK®, EME®, GRASON-STADLER®, JAEGER™, LYRA®, MEDELEC®, MICROGAS®, NAVIGATOR®, NICOLET®, NicoletOne™, PULMONETIC™, SENSORMEDICS®, TECA®, TECOMET™, VELA® and VMAX®. VIASYS is headquartered in Conshohocken, PA, and its businesses are conducted through its Respiratory Care, NeuroCare, MedSystems and Orthopedics business units. More information can be found at http://www.viasyshealthcare.com

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Contacts:

Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing
Baxa Corporation http://www.baxa.com — 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157
Email: marian.robinson@baxa.com

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR
Absolutely Public Relations http://www.absolutelypr.com — 303.984.9801 or 303.669.3558
Email: maggie@absolutelypr.com