Access Vascular Partners With Association for Vascular Access

Access Vascular Inc. (AVI), a company addressing the most common and costly vascular access complications, has formed a strategic partnership with Association for Vascular Access (AVA). The goal of the partnership is to join forces in improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and clinical education around advanced technology applications.
 
Despite incremental changes to catheter design and placement techniques, catheter related complication rates remain unacceptably high and range between 30 percent and 34 percent.^1,2 Complications such as catheter related thrombosis, phlebitis and infections impact patient safety, increase total medical costs, and create frustration for clinicians. AVI portfolio was developed and launched in response to these unmet needs expressed by vascular access teams and hospitals across the globe. 
 
“AVI exists to transform the field of vascular access and champion clinicians in this space. It is our sole mission, and it aligns well with AVA’s vision for a world with safe and reliable vascular access,” said James Biggins, CEO of Access Vascular. “The innovation in vascular access catheters has been rather incremental, especially as it relates to the materials from which they are made. This partnership affirms our conviction to solve critical issues in vascular access procedures through making innovation more accessible by physicians and patients worldwide.”
 
Transformational in their design, AVI catheters are made of a whole new proprietary hydrogel material that does not disrupt the body’s natural chemistry, evading the clotting cascade and resulting complications. Unlike traditional polyurethane catheters that initiate this foreign body response, HydroPICC and HydroMID are shown to reduce thrombus accumulation by an average of 97 percent.³
 
“We are extremely pleased to welcome AVI as our strategic partner,” said Cate Brennan, CEO of AVA. “We look forward to fostering innovation by partnering on continuing education and patient safety initiatives with AVI.”
 
The combined goal of AVI and AVA is to help clinicians move treatment innovation forward. Reducing thrombus complications and total medical expense with no change to workflow means many hospital teams may realize the benefits of a better vascular access solution for their patients as soon as they start using it.
 
Access Vascular was founded to address the most common and costly complications of intravenous therapy: infection, thrombosis, and phlebitis. Taking a foundationally different approach to thrombus reduction, the company manufactures intravenous catheters from a hydrophilic material which retains significant amounts of water. Engineered to mimic the body’s natural chemistry, Access Vascular catheters are designed to evade the foreign body response and complications that come with it. The firm’s cleared products are HydroPICC and HydroMID.  For more information, 
 
The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is the dominant thought leader in the vascular access (VA) specialty and provides continuing education to healthcare professionals and pre-licensure medical, nursing and allied health students around the globe. Founded in 1985 as a multidisciplinary organization, AVA advocates for evidence-based practices and improved safety for both providers and patients. AVA advances research through the Journal for Association for Vascular Access (JAVA), enhances patient outcomes through education on AVA Academy and partners with the industry device community to promote quality and innovation. 
 
References 
¹ Leroyer C, Lashéras A, Marie V, et al. Prospective follow-up of complications related to peripherally inserted central catheters. Med Mal Infect. 2013;43(8):350-355. 
² Grau D, Clarivet B, Lotthé A, Bommart S, Parer S. Complications with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) used in hospitalized patients and outpatients: a prospective cohort study. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2017;6(1):18. 
³ www.accessvascularinc.com