SmartSponge(TM) System Alerts Surgical Staff If Sponges Remain In Patients
DUBLIN, Ohio, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Health, a global
provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity
of health care, today announced an agreement with ClearCount Medical
Solutions to distribute the first system cleared by the Food and Drug
Administration that integrates both counting and detection for sponge
management during surgeries.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cardinal Health will be the primary
distributor for ClearCount's patented SmartSponge(TM) system to hospitals,
surgery centers and other health care distributors in the U.S. Cardinal
Health will offer the SmartSponge(TM) system as part of its Presource(R)
surgical kits and as a stand alone offering.
The sponges are permanently affixed with a passive radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag smaller than a dime. The SmartBucket(TM) display
highlights any count discrepancies. If a discrepancy occurs, a
SmartWand(TM) scan is used to identify any sponges remaining in the
patient. A SmartMat(TM) under the patient provides the user with
notification that a scan is proceeding properly. As the only system to
integrate counting and detection for the purpose of sponge management, the
SmartSponge(TM) system saves time, prevents unnecessary X-rays, reduces the
possibility of user error, minimizes delays in procedures and reduces the
hassles associated with count discrepancies.
"Patient safety has always been a top priority for hospitals, and they
are becoming even more focused on preventing foreign objects from being
left behind following surgery," said Steve Inacker, president and general
manager of Cardinal Health's Presource kitting business. "This agreement
demonstrates our continuing commitment to offer our customers leading
technologies to help improve safety and productivity in their operating
rooms."
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and an increasing
number of private insurers have indicated that in the near future they will
no longer reimburse for procedures associated with "never" events such as
left- behind surgical sponges. Published studies today indicate that one in
every 1,000 to 1,500 intra-abdominal surgeries results in a sponge left
behind in a patient. A retained sponge incident can lead to serious
complications, including sepsis, unnecessary X-rays, need for repeat
surgeries and even death.
"Cardinal Health is a leader in patient safety, and our partnership is
yet another example of their commitment to remain at the forefront of the
industry," said David Palmer, chief executive officer of ClearCount.
"Technologically advanced hospitals have been seeking a comprehensive
solution to the sponge management challenge, and we have every confidence
that our system meets their needs."
About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is an
$87 billion, global company serving the health-care industry with products
and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce
costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better
care to patients. With a focus on making supply chains more efficient,
reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful
medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies,
including Alaris(R) IV pumps, Pyxis(R) automated dispensing systems,
MedMined(TM) electronic infection surveillance service, VIASYS(R)
respiratory care products and the CareFusion(TM) patient identification
system. The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is
one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies
worldwide. Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more
than 40,000 people on five continents. More information about the company
may be found at http://www.cardinalhealth.com.
About ClearCount Medical Solutions
ClearCount Medical Solutions is a medical device company focused on
patient safety solutions. ClearCount has assembled an extendable RFID-based
platform that provides an encompassing solution to drive efficiencies while
preventing medical errors. ClearCount's SmartSponge System is the first
FDA- cleared RFID enabled system for counting and detecting surgical
sponges. The comprehensive SmartSponge System is a reconciliation and
detection solution that improves patient and OR safety, enhances
operational efficiency and reduces cost. To learn more, visit
http://www.clearcount.com.
SOURCE Cardinal Health
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Related links:
http://www.cardinalhealth.com
http://www.clearcount.com
CONTACT:
Media, Troy Kirkpatrick, +1-614-284-1926,
troy.kirkpatrick@cardinalhealth.com, Investors, Jon Lyons,
+1-614-757-3996, jon.lyons@cardinalhealth.com, both of Cardinal
Health; Media, Jennifer Bannan of Zer0 to 5ive, +1-412-580-3675,
Jen@0to5.com, for ClearCount Medical Solutions
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