The Importance of Using Bionector TKO on all IV Lines

The Cost of Catheter Occlusions

Occlusions are a common issue in patients with vascular access lines. However, understanding and addressing these occlusions is crucial for improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs. The most common types of occlusions include:

• Thrombotic Occlusion: Occurs when blood or clotting agents accumulate inside the catheter.
• Persistent Withdrawal Occlusion: This happens when fibrin is aspirated into the catheter.

A TKO on all Lines Benefits Everyone

Healthcare Provider Benefits

Occlusions can be costly for healthcare providers. Anticoagulant treatments are expensive, nursing time is increased, and lines may need to be replaced if they cannot be cleared. This not only strains healthcare resources but also adds to the overall cost of patient care.

From a cost perspective, the decreased usage of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and the elimination of heparin flushes in PICCs and Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) lead to significant savings. The reduced demand for solutions to dissolve blockages and flush out lines translates to lower operational costs. Additionally, the corresponding decrease in nursing time required for these procedures further enhances cost efficiency for healthcare providers.

Patient Benefits

For patients, occlusions can significantly affect their treatment and recovery. One of the primary advantages of using Bionector TKO is the reduction in catheter occlusions. This means patients experience fewer clinical interventions to unblock or replace lines, resulting in less trauma and a higher likelihood of receiving their prescribed therapy on time. When treatment cannot be delivered as needed, patients may have to stay in the hospital longer, increasing their risk of infection. If the line cannot be unblocked, patients may need to undergo a second placement procedure, which can be both physically and emotionally taxing. The reduction in occlusions ensures a smoother and more reliable treatment process, enhancing overall patient comfort and satisfaction.

Clinician Benefits

For nurses and doctors, the time saved from not having to replace or unblock lines can be redirected to other clinical responsibilities. This efficiency not only improves workflow but also allows healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care and other essential tasks.

Bionector TKO offers a solution to these challenges by eliminating the need for heparin flushes in mid to long-term catheters like PICCs and Midlines. Its unique design leads to fewer clinical interventions and less trauma for patients, ensuring timely delivery of prescribed therapies. By incorporating Bionector TKO into vascular access protocols, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, optimise clinical workflows, and reduce costs associated with occlusions.

Clinical Evidence Supporting Bionector TKO

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of TKO technology in reducing catheter-related complications:

1. Reduction in Catheter Occlusions:

1. • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust: An evaluation reported a significant decrease in occlusion rates from 5% to less than 1% after implementing Bionector TKO¹.

1. • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust: Trials showed an 89.8% reduction in catheter occlusions and an 83.3% decrease in catheter removals².

1. • Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: The previous occlusion rate was 74.6%; during a six-week evaluation using Bionector TKO, the occlusion rate fell to 7.7%³.

1. Improved Patient Outcomes:

1. • Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: For medium-term IV antibiotics line failure rate was reduced from 30% to 3%⁴.

1. • Hartford Hospital: Annual CLABSI rates fell from 16 to 1, and occlusions were reduced by 52% after introducing TKO and eliminating heparin flushing protocols⁵.

1. Cost Savings:

1. • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust: The Time spent by ward staff and IV Team Nurse Specialists trying to unblock midlines was reduced from 44 to six hours, saving considerable cost to clinical time².

1. • University of Florida Health: The hospital estimated savings of $48,000 over a year by reducing CLABSI rates and the use of anti-clotting agents⁶.

1. • Kings College Hospital: An audit comparison for the cost of bung, nursing time, and Alteplase resulted in a 32% savings⁷.

1. • Finchley Memorial Hospital: An audit comparison for the cost of bung, nursing time, and Alteplase resulted in a 34% savings⁷.

Conclusion

The implementation of Bionector TKO technology for all catheters is a critical step towards enhancing patient care and supporting clinical staff, while minimising complications related to IV therapy. Clinical evidence highlights the effectiveness of Bionector TKO connectors in preventing blood reflux and catheter occlusion, which leads to improved patient outcomes, optimised clinician workflow, and reduced healthcare costs. This makes Bionector TKO connectors a valuable addition to clinical practice, and as such hospitals should adopt the mindset of incorporating a Bionector TKO onto every IV line for better overall outcomes. When placing a catheter, think TKO.