Intelligent Hospital Systems validates usage of ICU Medical's ChemoCLAVE Bag Spike with RIVA

Apr 8 2010

IV Automation is becoming an increasingly comprehensive technology after medical device company Intelligent Hospital Systems validated ICU Medical Inc.'s ChemoCLAVE(TM) Bag Spike for use with RIVA (Robotic IV Automation System) - a self-contained unit for filling IV syringes and bags.

In addition to RIVA's proven effectiveness in enhancing patient safety, expediting the compounding process and reducing waste and technicians' exposure to a multitude of drug compounds, the integration of the ChemoCLAVE Bag Spike lessens the risk of needlestick injury and exposure during bag spiking post-compounding, and bag tears.

"This validation is essentially the final part of RIVA's chemo prep solution," notes Niels Erik Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of IH Systems. "It not only increases patient safety through the automated preparation of sterile and accurate doses, but it also improves the safety of technicians, who will no longer have to handle cytotoxic drugs while they are being mixed." The addition of a ChemoCLAVE Bag Spike prior to preparation allows for hazardous drug preparation inside RIVA and eliminates the requirement to spike the bag post-compounding.

For Jane Arnot, IH Systems' VP Customer Sales and Service, the validation of the ChemoCLAVE Bag Spike has notably enhanced RIVA and has provided some incentive for those institutions that have not yet adopted automated systems. "RIVA has been proven effective in both testing and its implementation into working healthcare institutions. We are confident that RIVA's ability to interface with the ChemoCLAVE Bag Spike, along with the system's proven track record, will help drive further integration into hospitals and pharmacies while building confidence and support from directors of pharmacies worldwide."