Your 10-Second Option

Even in skilled hands, central lines carry certain risks, costs, resources and time. For patients who don’t have time, there is a better way.

Research suggests up to 50% of central venous catheters are placed solely for vascular access.¹ EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion systems provides an ideal alternative to emergent central line placement, especially when time doesn’t allow for proper insertion checklists and protocols. The EZ-IO also provides a great option for patients in whom peripheral vascular access is difficult or impossible.

The Clinical Advantage

Central lines can take 11-25 minutes² for the entire procedure, even without maximal sterile barrier precautions. Intraosseous access delivers medication to the central circulation as rapidly as a central line. Due to the vascular nature of the bone, medication uptake occurs within seconds, as demonstrated by fluoroscopy.

» View the Fluoroscopy Video

Using EZ-IO means fast, safe vascular access – usually within 10 seconds – via the intraosseous (IO) route. The humerus intraosseous access site can provide flow rates of 5-9 liters per hour.^{3, 4} EZ-IO can provide either a bridge to a safe central line placed under controlled conditions, or an alternative vascular access option when long-term central lines are not absolutely necessary. EZ-IO provides reduced time to treatment, reduced risk, and an easy-to-use addition to your team.⁵

The Quality & Cost Advantage

Reducing risk is top priority for today’s hospitals, and risk of infection with central lines, particularly femoral lines, is a big reason to consider the EZ-IO alternative. Cost is another. Since hospitals are no longer reimbursed for most central line complications, central line safety is a priority.

Using EZ-IO to reduce unnecessary central lines and avoid emergent central lines can provide direct economic benefit to the hospital. “The best central line is one that doesn’t have to be placed.” The EZ-IO option can mean lower operational costs, lower resource and staff utilization, decreased use of higher-risk (and higher-cost) central venous catheters, and the improved throughput times for difficult cases.

» View the Cost/Benefit Analysis

The Patient Advantage

Your patient’s well-being is your foremost concern – life and health are literally in your hands. The EZ-IO option provides your patient the benefit of immediate vascular access, which means immediate patient treatment.⁶ Immediate vascular access can prevent further patient deterioration, and other complications associated with treatment delays. EZ-IO provides significantly lower exposure to complication risks than central lines,⁷ which carry a 15% complication rate.⁸

» Find out more.

Practice Standards

All the above facts are reasons why early use of IO is endorsed by an increasing number of professional organizations:

• American Heart Association (AHA)
• European Resuscitation Council (ERC)
• International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR)
• Infusion Nurses Society (INS)
• Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• Consortium on Intraosseous Vascular Access in Healthcare Practice

Vascular Access. Your Challenge. Our Solution.

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References