Clinical Advantages of the EZ-IO
» Time
» Minimal Risk
» Adjunct for Central Lines and PICC Lines
» Efficacy
» Patient Friendly
» One Size Doesn't Fit All
» Multiple Scenarios
» Evidenced-Based Practice
» Professional Associations
Time.
Sometimes your patient doesn't have it. The EZ-IO can be inserted into the proximal tibia, distal tibia or proximal humerus – often within 10- seconds – providing six different sites for immediate vascular access. Rapid vascular access can be critical in a variety of clinical settings:
- Emergency Department
- Critical Care Units
- Rapid Response/Code Teams
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical and Perioperative Areas
- Interventional Radiology/Special Procedures
Minimal Risk.
Historically, intraosseous (IO) research has reported very low complication rates of less than 1%.1 The vast majority of these complications are minor, such as extravasation and needle removal issues. Even with older-generation IO technology, very rare cases of osteomyelitis have been reported.1 However, with EZ-IO technology, these complications are even more rare. These rates are especially insignificant when compared with the most common complications of central venous catheters, (bloodstream infections, arterial puncture, pneumothorax, thrombus).
Adjunct for Central Lines and PICC Lines.
For optimal utilization, the EZ-IO can function as:
- A central line alternative when vascular access is required for less than 24 hours
- A replacement for high-risk emergent femoral lines
- A bridge for necessary central lines when insertion protocol cannot be followed
Click here for more information on the IO role with central venous lines.
Efficacy.
Research studies have proven that drugs administered to the proximal humerus via the intraosseous (IO) route, even during cardiac arrest, reach the heart at the same rate as drugs given through a central line.2 With the EZ-IO, clinicians can now avoid high-risk femoral lines, while gaining stable and effective vascular access within seconds. You win. Your hospital wins. Your patient wins.
Click here to go to the Research section for more information
Patient Friendly.
The EZ-IO is the only intraosseous technology that does not use force to penetrate the bone, allowing for a precise, controlled insertion with minimal pain. The EZ-IO's advanced technological platform and patented needle set tip design provides greater precision on penetration of the bone, and greater clinician control than devices using older IO technology.
For responsive patients, lidocaine can be administered via the IO route prior to flush, fluid or medication administration. For most patients, IO infusion pain is managed well with lidocaine.
Click here to go to the Clinical Resources section for more information
One Size Doesn't Fit All.
The EZ-IO can be used in any patient greater than 3 kg – pediatric or adult. The EZ-IO Vascular Access System provides clinicians with three needle lengths to accommodate all patient sizes: 15mm, 25mm, 45mm. Note: The 45mm needle is recommended for the humeral site in adult patients.
Multiple Scenarios.
Whether your patient is crashing and requires resuscitation, or is conscious and simply needs rapid intervention for drugs, fluids, or blood products, the EZ-IO can help. Improve your door-to-drug times for any number of treatment regimens by reaching for the EZ-IO when traditional vascular access is not immediately available, but medically necessary. Conditions in which IO access may be the optimal choice for vascular access:
- Sepsis
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
- Renal disease
- Burns
- Sickle cell anemia
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Pre-operative vascular access
- Conscious sedation
- Anesthesia
- Special procedures
- Elderly
- Obesity
- Urgent need for psychotropics
- Chronic IV drug abuse
- Induction of labor
- Parenteral pain relief
- Parenteral rehydration
- Vascular access for one-time or short-term therapy
- History of frequent vascular access or multiple central lines
Evidenced-Based Practice.
Vidacare supports evidence-based medicine and has sponsored more than 20 independent clinical studies with over 3000 patients. In all these studies, zero serious complications were reported. Early IO use is endorsed by the following organizations:
- American Heart Association (AHA)
- European Resuscitation Council (ERC)
- International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR)
Additionally, the following organizations have position papers on early IO access, which encourage nurse utilization of IO technology:
- Infusion Nurses Society
- Emergency Nurses Association
Professional Associations.
The Infusion Nurses Society (INS), a professional association that establishes guidelines for vascular access and infusion practices, supports early use of intraosseous access by clinicians. The INS particularly supports use of IO access by registered nurses, since responsibility for vascular access has traditionally been within their purview.
The INS position paper, also endorsed by the Emergency Nurses Association, may be found at: http://www.ins1.org/files/public/4_20_09_Position_paper_Intraosseous.pdf.
The ENA endorsement may be found at:http://www.ena.org/about/position/supported/Pages/Endorsed.aspx.
The EZ-IO system is used in approximately 70% of U.S. Top Hospitals, and has been placed in over 350,000 patients worldwide.
1 Rossetti VA, Thompson BM, Miller J, Mateer JR, Aprahamian C. Intraosseous infusion: an alternative route of pediatric intravascular access. Ann Emerg Med 1985; 14:885-8.
2 Hoskins S, Kramer G, Stephens C, Zachariah B. Efficacy of epinephrine delivery via the intraosseous humeral head route during CPR. Circulation. 2006;114:II_1204.
