Qosina Provides Access to IV Lines Without Needles

More than a decade has passed since the Needle-Stick Safety and Prevention Act became law, yet sharps injuries still pose a significant health hazard to doctors, nurses, phlebotomists and other hospital workers. Consider the statistics: More than 1,000 sharps injuries occur on a daily basis to these clinicians, contributing to an annual total of 385,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (not to mention a lot of unnecessary bloodletting). These figures likely are the motivation behind Qosina’s continual quest to reduce needlestick injuries through its product line. The latest sharps injury prevention device from the Edgewood, N.Y.-based company is the Swabbable Needleless Injection Site No. 80189, a device that accesses intravenous lines without sharp needles. Unlike other needleless sites that allow for bidirectional flow, site 80189 incorporates a one-way injection-only valve designed to prevent retrograde flow. When the connection is removed, the valve reseals against backflow, according to Qosina. Featuring a connector made of biocompatible materials (polycarbonate, silicone and polyisoprene), a needleless female luer port and male luer slip, injection site 80189 is equipped with a luer-activated valve that allows any standard male luer to open the connection. Luer fittings are compatible with industry standards for both standard male luer and male luer slip fittings. The company also offers bidirectional flow injection sites, which can be used both for injection and aspiration. Score one for needlestick prevention.