Auto-Guard IV Catheters

[Ed]

Do you know of any Prehospital Paramedic systems that use or have used Insyte Auto-Guard IV catheters. Our Department has switched to these against the wishes of the medics on a basis of "state of the art" technology and "Safety". Do you know of any studies that may deal with needle stick injuries from IV starts as well as sticks from lancets from doing finger sticks for Chem BG's. We also have noted that these are cumbersome to use in most prehospital situations.
I am looking for pros and cons to these catheters even though we have been finding problems with them. You can also e-mail me direct at balc@gbonline.com Thanks Ed

[chief4102]

The EMS agency that I work for tried the Auto - Guard I.V. catheters a few years back. No one liked them. They are VERY awkward to use. We decided to continue with the standard catheters that we had been using. Less cost and easied to use. We use the empty test strip containers (with "BioHazard" labels attached) to store the used lancets in until we can get back to the rig and the larger sharps containers.

Be Safe
Dan

[fyrmedik]

Our system uses the Johnson&Johnson ProtectIV catheters, and have been using them for the past year. Although most found them to be cumbersome at first, everybody is pretty well used to them now. I actually find them very easy to use. We also have sharps cntainers all over the place as well; two in the truck, as well as one in the IV/Drug kit, and the first-in kit. We are also experimenting with a needle-less system for administering meds. As a result, our number of needle sticks has decreased, but there will always be needle sticks, mostly through inattention....

[DemonMedic]

I have used several types of catheters including Insytes, ProtectIV, Jelco, Angio. Currently the service I work for uses Johnson&Johnson ProtectIV Plus catheters and I love them. They are the best catheters I have used and the easiest. As you advance the catheter the needle safes itself. I have used the insytes as well and liked them better than angio or jelco catheters, but you have to push the little retract button to safe the needle, with the protect iv you have no choice but to safe the needle. The insytes take a little getting used to as does everything new, but they are not to bad. The material the catheter is made of is very slick and threads easily, I found them very easy to use once I was used to them. I do,however, still prefer the protectIV plus catheters. My suggestion is try to practice with them a little more, and if they are still causing you and your fellow medics trouble then bring your concerns to the powers that be....see if you can try the protectIV plus catheters if safety is their major concern....

Damian Rickard
NREMT-P
Groton, CT

[lt/medic]

I have used mainly jelco's and the Protectiv IV's.

Once you get used to the protectiv IV they are easier to use in most circumstances, except:

External Jugular's, The extralength of the system can make it difficult on people with no necks.

[Boothby]

We use the ProtectIV plus. Most of the medics I know complain about them, but I love them. It takes some practice but once you get the hang of it they are very easy to use. I also believe that they are sharper than any other cath I have used. Since we went to these I haven't had any problems with tough skinned patients.

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Larry Boothby
Firefighter/Paramedic
Truck 3 A-shift
Local 1784
Memphis.

[Ohiofiremed57]

I agree with It/medic, I have found problems with using the protectIV on EJ's. But as with anything... nothings perfect. I've used auto-guards for years....with new tech.I think in the future you'll see an auto guard style on all sharps...

Nothing worse than a prick! ya know...

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[9m18]

I can't claim a lot of experience, but I recently completed an EMT-Intermediate program at a nearby hospital in another catchment area. They use nothing but Insyte Autoguards. I learned on them and find them very easy to use. Upon completion of the class, I did some training in the catchment hospital (which doesn't use the Insytes due to cost) and found I liked the Insytes much better. After getting my first field stick today, we placed an order for Insyte Autoguards about two hours before I saw this posting. I guess it all depends on what you are used to...
Take Care.

[This message has been edited by 9m18 (edited February 01, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by 9m18 (edited February 01, 2000).]