Anesthesiologist Jimmy Rawls, MD, recently collected a $5,000 prize from the Charleston (S.C.) Metro Chamber of Commerce for his design for a new intravenous catheter, according to a Charleston Business report.
Dr. Rawls, who has worked with intravenous lines for 15 years, said he wanted to design a catheter that was more flexible than the current standard. He said lines that are not pliable can kink, resulting in blood clots and infection and requiring additional needle sticks to install new IV lines.
According to Dr. Rawls' research, 50 percent of catheters fail in the first 48 hours, and hospitals spend $1.4 billion every year because of failed IVs.
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Dr. Rawls, who has worked with intravenous lines for 15 years, said he wanted to design a catheter that was more flexible than the current standard. He said lines that are not pliable can kink, resulting in blood clots and infection and requiring additional needle sticks to install new IV lines.
According to Dr. Rawls' research, 50 percent of catheters fail in the first 48 hours, and hospitals spend $1.4 billion every year because of failed IVs.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Anesthesiologists' Rejection of Medi-Cal Could Jeopardize Surgery Access in California
90% of Anesthesiologists Erroneously Consider LMA ProSeal and Flexible Unsafe for MRI
Manipulation Under Anesthetic May Improve Stiffness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty