A Clinical Trial Using a New Medical Device to Evaluate Its Impact on IV Care and Clinical Complications

SafeBreak Vascular is a breakaway connector that screws into peripheral IV lines using luer connectors on each end. The device is designed to separate when a harmful force is placed on an IV line. Upon separation, valves on each side of the device close. On the patient side of the device, the valve closes to prevent the loss of blood and on the IV pump side of the device, the valve closes to stop the flow of medication. The valve closing on the IV pump side of the line causes the pump's occlusion alarm to sound and notify nurses that the IV needs attention. The nurse is able to throw away the separated SafeBreak Vascular, install a new SafeBreak, and restart the patient's infusion without the negative cascade of events that can occur when a peripheral IV fails.