Access Scientific, LLC Announces Discovery of the Cause of POWERWAND™ Catheters’ ZERO Bloodstream Infections in over 35,000 Catheter-Days of Published Use

That’s what Access Scientific is calling the dramatic results from a leading biofilm laboratory that explain why the company’s POWERWAND™ midlines and extended-dwell catheters consistently report zero associated bloodstream infections (BSIs).

Independent, peer-reviewed published studies and scientific posters on the company’s POWERWAND™ catheters – which now tally over 35,000 catheter-days of use in over 5,000 catheters – all report ZERO associated BSIs. These outcomes are especially noteworthy given a recently published study demonstrating that standard intravenous catheters (IVs), which have far shorter dwell times than POWERWAND™, have an average of 1.64 bloodstream infections per 1,000 hospital admissions [Perez-Granda, 2017]. Since the POWERWAND™ lasts longer, it should be associated with an even greater number of infections. Yet time and again, independent researchers report none.

The question is: Why?

Thanks to some of the most sophisticated science in the industry performed by an independent, leading biofilm laboratory, the company now understands both the how and why of its unparalleled results. Publication of the first of several reports on the science behind POWERWAND™’s performance is expected in the second quarter of 2018. At least two other studies are expected to follow.

“These findings, using advanced fluorescent microscopy techniques, offer a clear explanation for the remarkable results we’ve been seeing with POWERWAND™ over the years,” commented Dr. Steve Bierman, the company’s chief medical officer. “It’s gratifying to now have proof that our proprietary BioGUARD™ material processing steps are yielding their hoped-for results.”

Patients and clinicians continue to benefit from the POWERWAND™’s best-in-class performance, with longer dwell times, fewer complications and greater blood-drawability, affording patients the often-realized potential for a ONE-STICK HOSPITALIZATION.

About Access Scientific, LLC

Access Scientific, LLC, based in San Diego, CA, is an evidence-based, infection prevention company offering innovative vascular access devices designed to reduce the need for and risk of vascular device-related complications, including bloodstream infections. See www.accessscientific.com for full product offering and clinical studies.