Innovative Monitor Advances Safety of IV Therapy

An innovative continuous intravenous (IV) monitoring device improves patient care by quickly detecting common adverse events, such as infiltration and extravasation.

The ivWatch 400 consists of a patient monitor for monitoring and alerting, a noninvasive sensor that uses near-infrared (NIR) light, and a disposable sensor receptacle applied next to the IV site for securing the sensor to the skin. The NIR optical sensor illuminates tissue near the IV site; the light returning from the tissue is processed by the patient monitor, using a proprietary diagnostic algorithm, and the status of the infusion process is continuously displayed on the color liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen.

On-screen status changes are displayed, along with an audible notification, when conditions suggest that an infiltration or extravasation has occurred. This can be compared to the currently used methods for detecting such problems, which include visual and tactile examinations of the IV sites by nurses, typically every one to four hours. However, these standard methods are highly subjective and unreliable. The ivWatch 400 is a product of ivWatch (Williamsburg, VA, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Our goal is to be on every IV pole in the country and provide continuous monitoring of every IV placed. This issue is so prevalent and we finally have a way to address it,” said Gary Warren, president and CEO of ivWatch. “IVs are probably the most common medical procedure performed and 30% of them fail, often as a result of infiltration. It's a huge problem. Others have tried to solve it, but we are the first to develop the technology and bring a practical and cost-effective solution to market.”

“This is really a game-changing technology for infusion therapy and should become the new standard of care,” said Darcy Doellman, MSN, RN, clinical manager of the vascular access team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (OH, USA), where clinical trials of the technology took place. “This device impacts every unit and almost every patient. For clinicians and patients, this will change the experience.”

Many peripheral IV failures result from infiltrations and extravasations, i.e., IV fluids inadvertently entering the surrounding tissue. While infiltrations are leaks of less-harmful infusates that can cause pain, redness of the skin, and swelling, extravasations are leaks of potentially harmful infusates such as chemotherapy medications. Infiltrations and extravasations are considered to be medical-dosing errors and, in severe cases, may result in tissue necrosis, loss of function, amputation or even death.

Related Links:
ivWatch
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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