Study Shows Benefit of Teleflex VPS for Placing PICCs

January 13, 2015—Teleflex Incorporated announced that results from a study showing that the company’s Arrow VPS vascular positioning system can reduce improper positioning of central intravenous catheters were published by Linda Smith, MSN, RN, et al in the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (2014;19:167–171).

According to Teleflex, the single-center study of catheter tip positioning was conducted at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The investigators used the Teleflex VPS technology to place peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). They evaluated the positioning system in terms of effectiveness and potential advantages in real-time guidance, reduced x-ray exposure, fewer treatment delays, and reduced procedure time.  

The Teleflex VPS study primarily examined whether the system could reduce the incidence of malpositioned PICCs. The investigators reported a 51% reduction of malpositioned catheters when using the VPS system. The investigators also sought to determine whether use of the system could minimize the use of chest x-rays to confirm accurate PICC placement, which they were able to achieve. 

The study’s Lead Investigator, Linda Smith, MSN, RN, who is a vascular access nurse and PICC team member at James A. Haley Hospital, commented in the company’s press release, “It was gratifying for our PICC team’s product trial to establish a new protocol that benefits patients and the hospital alike. Many of our patients have significant health complications, and PICC placements can be challenging. We identified the positioning system as a possible improvement to our PICC placement procedures. Then we evaluated it to make sure it performed as promised, and our results led to a policy change that has improved the quality and efficiency of care at our hospital and allowed us to eliminate confirmatory chest x-ray for most PICC placements.”

Teleflex stated that the Arrow VPS combines intravascular electrocardiography, intravascular Doppler ultrasound, and a software algorithm to accurately place catheter tips in the lower one-third of the superior vena cava-cavo atrial junction. The system displays a blue indicator on the screen when an accurate placement has been made at this junction. The VPS device is cleared by US Food and Drug Administration.