B. Braun Statement on New Standards of Care for Peripheral IV Catheters

B. Braun congratulates the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) and other collaborating organizations on the publication of “Standards of Care for Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: Evidence-Based Expert Consensus” in the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (JAVA).

This groundbreaking document – endorsed by 16 professional and industry organizations – effectively establishes a new Standard of Care on the insertion, maintenance and removal of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs). The comprehensive standards cover a wide range of clinical practices, including methods to maximize first insertion success, improve patient safety and experience and eliminate disparities in the delivery of PIVC therapy.¹

The new Standards of Care are designed to address health complications associated with PIVC care, including that up to 69% of peripheral IV lines fail before treatment is completed, as shown by research.² Evidence also shows that PIVC restarts subject patients to discomfort, introduce greater risk of infection and lead to additional costs.³

These complications are why B. Braun introduced Peripheral Advantage^®, our data-driven program designed to deliver safe and consistent PIVC care through best-in-class training with cutting-edge products and technology. We are pleased that the Peripheral Advantage Program is already helping hospitals across the country to improve first-stick success and help prevent many of the complications that have long been associated with peripheral IV therapy.

Now that an evidence-based expert consensus on the Standards of Care for PIVCs has been established, we are hopeful they will lead to policy changes including federal quality measures to incentivize the delivery of high-quality peripheral IV therapy. Millions of patients across the country and around the world who depend on this treatment deserve no less.