Preventing Misconnections in Healthcare Delivery Systems

by Nordson MEDICAL

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Hospitals and other healthcare facilities depend on a variety of catheters, tubing and syringes to deliver medications and other substances to patients through vascular, enteral, respiratory, epidural and intrathecal delivery systems. These delivery systems frequently employ fittings called luer connectors to link various system components. Unfortunately, because luer connectors are ubiquitous, easy-to-use, and compatible between different delivery systems, end users can inadvertently connect the incorrect systems together. These misconnections can cause medication or other fluids to be delivered through the wrong route, resulting in serious patient injuries and even death. In an effort to reduce the occurrence of these misconnections, the FDA is in collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) to develop standards for the noninterconnectability of small bore medical connectors. A joint working group established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) leads this effort to develop a series of standards for incompatible connectors. Nordson MEDICAL is well positioned to help you with your tubing connection needs. Our parts are designed, tested, qualified, and documented to be compliant with these new standards. Because Nordson MEDICAL's Value Plastics product line team has participated on the committees developing these standards, you can be assured of a full understanding of the testing and compliance requirements. Our standard product base has hundreds of different types of luers that can be customized to achieve ISO 80369-7 compliance. Contact us to schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable staff.