Infusion System suits MR imaging environments.
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Press Release Summary:
Providing expanded set of measurements, Continuum MR Compatible Infusion System enables clinicians to work with large selection of medications, sedatives, and anesthetic agents. Non-Weight Dose selection program assists in dose calculation for drugs not dependent on patient weight. With Continuum, healthcare professionals can dispense cardiac stress agents at flow rates up to 1,200 ml/hr, and account for time as well as bolus weight and body weight.
Original Press Release:
MEDRAD Simplifies MR Infusion
New Dosing Capabilities Increase Drug Selection, Reduce Confusion that Can Lead to Medication Errors
INDIANOLA, Pa., Nov. 4 -- With dozens of intravenous medications requiring a wide variety of measurement units, a healthcare professional administering drugs in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging environments faces many complications. To simplify MR infusion and increase the selection of drugs that can be infused, MEDRAD, INC. has introduced the next generation Continuum MR Compatible Infusion System.
The new Continuum system provides an expanded set of measurements so that clinicians can effectively work with a larger selection of medications, sedatives, and anesthetic agents to provide quality patient care. The new features further simplify the already easy-to-use infusion system and reduce the potential for confusion and programming errors. Adverse drug events (ADEs) are the leading cause of medical injuries(1), and incorrect programming of infusion devices is at the root of most ADEs(2).
"With the new Continuum system, we've delivered more features and increased simplicity," stated John Thomas, executive director of marketing, MR Business Unit. "The enhancements to this product should give the MR nurse or anesthesiologist more confidence in infusing MR patients by reducing confusion that can contribute to medication error."
In addition to more selection of drug-specific units of measurement and reduced need for complicated conversions, the updated infusion system introduces a new dose selection program, Non-Weight Dose, to assist in dose calculation for drugs not dependent on patient weight. Continuum allows healthcare professionals to dispense cardiac stress agents at flow rates up to 1200 ml/hr and to account for time along with bolus weight and body weight with the improved bolus function.
Continuum, originally introduced in 2002 as the first infusion system compatible with the MR environment, solves the longstanding problem of managing MRI patients on infusion therapy. Historically, the patient would either be removed from the medication, remain connected to a non-MR compatible infusion pump outside the scanner room with up to 30 feet of tubing, or be disqualified from MR imaging altogether. The Continuum system helps to enable scanning of patients who could most benefit from MR imaging regardless of their need for infusion therapy.
The Continuum system is one of MEDRAD's wide assortment of MRI compatible product offerings that include the Spectris Solaris(R) EP Injection System, Leading Image(TM) Coils, and Veris(TM) MR Patient Monitoring System.
MEDRAD, INC. is a worldwide leading provider of medical devices and services that enable and enhance imaging procedures of the human body. Used in diagnostic imaging, MEDRAD's product offerings include a comprehensive line of vascular injection systems, magnetic resonance (MR) surface coils and accessory products, and equipment services. Total 2004 revenues were $344 million. MEDRAD is a 2003 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the top honor a U.S. company can receive for quality and business excellence. The company's world headquarters is near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. MEDRAD is a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany (NYSE:SHR). For more information, visit MEDRAD's website at www.medrad.com.
(1) Reves, J., "'Smart Pump' Technology Reduces Errors," Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Newsletter. 18 (1), Spring 2003.
(2) Wilson, K., and Sullivan, M.: "Preventing Medication Errors with Smart Infusion Technology," American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacology. 61(2):177-183, 2004.
CONTACT: Joe Habovick, Magnetic Resonance Business Unit, +1-412-767-2400
x3265, or jhabovick@medrad.com, or Dan Dieter, Marketing Services, +1-412-767-2400 x3726, or ddieter@medrad.com, both of MEDRAD, INC.
