EZstim III Peripheral Nerve Locator and Stimulator Introduced

Halyard Health, a global medical technology company focused on preventing infection, eliminating pain and speeding recovery, today announced the availability of the EZstim III peripheral nerve locator and stimulator. The EZstim III was developed to help clinicians monitor the effects of muscle relaxant drugs during general anesthesia and enhance the effectiveness of catheter placement during continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNBs) for acute pain. The use of CPNBs can help to improve patient care by mitigating the need for opioids in post-operative pain management.
 
The EZstim III peripheral nerve locator and stimulator is a hand-held device that can take the place of two devices, serving as either a full-function nerve locator or a neuromuscular block monitor. EZstim III includes an audible indicator of open circuit or high-resistance condition, detachable, function-specific lead sets to guard against inappropriate use, and a built-in bumper to protect it from breakage. The large, bright LCD screen is easy to read and continuously displays all instrument settings and battery life. EZstim III is electrosurgery compatible, allowing it to be operational near other surgical equipment.
 
“The EZstim III is an important addition to our ON-Q Pain Relief System as we look to provide a full spectrum of solutions for acute post-surgical pain,” said Roger Massengale, general manager, acute pain, Halyard Health. “The addition of EZstim III to our product portfolio gives clinicians one more tool to help them provide patients with the best care possible. Use of the ON-Q System can help avoid risks associated with opioid use.”
 
According to Mayo Clinic, one in four patients prescribed opioid painkillers is at risk to progress to episodic or long-term prescription use.¹ The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in October 2015 that it would review how hospitals’ patient satisfaction surveys influence pain management practices, including the prescribing of opioid-based analgesics.²
 
The EZstim III is part of the ON-Q Pain Relief System suite of products—which includes pain pumps, pump accessories, peripheral nerve block accessories, as well as a comprehensive training, education and support system. The ON-Q pump is designed to provide effective, non-opioid pain relief for patients. With some non-narcotic pain pumps, patients experience increased pain satisfaction and a decrease in pain scores.^3
 
1 http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/one-in-4-people-prescribed-opioids-progressed-to-longer-term-prescriptions/. Accessed 10/2016.
² The White House. Office of the Press Secretary. Fact Sheet: Obama Administration Announces Public and Private Sector Efforts to Address Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Use. 2015 Oct 21.
³ Sherwinter DA, Ghaznavi AM, Spinner D. Savel RH, Macura JM, Adler H, Continuous infusion of intraperitoneal bupivacaine after laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Obes Surg 2008; 18: 1581-6.