Teleflex partners with Access Scientific to distribute The PICC WAND vascular access device

Teleflex has partnered with Access Scientific Incorporated, San Diego, California to become the U.S. distributor of The PICC WAND™ Safety Introducer with ARROW® peelable sheath. This new, all- in-one vascular access device provides clinicians a faster, safer, simpler way to insert a peel away sheath for PICC or Midline catheter placements.

“Access Scientific is proud to be introducing this game changing technology with our partner, Teleflex.”

Using the new Accelerated Seldinger Technique, The PICC WAND combines an echogenic needle, nitinol wire, sheath and dilator into an all in one safety introducer that eliminates the need to reach for separate components, improving sterile technique and reducing the risks associated with Modified Seldinger Technique (MST). These risks include accidental needle stick injury, loss of cannulation, vessel trauma, blood exposure, contamination of components and air and wire embolism. The PICC WAND actually reduces the risk of air emboli by 50% compared to MST. 

The passive needle safety mechanism of The PICC WAND automatically shields the contaminated needle during the procedure reducing the risk of accidental needle stick injury. This is important as there are 385,000 reported accidental sharps injuries occurring in hospitals annually, exposing healthcare workers to bloodborne pathogens that include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

Teleflex, a leader in providing innovative vascular access technologies, anticipates this device will become the new standard of care reducing risk to both patients and healthcare workers. "We are delighted to be partnering with Access Scientific to bring this truly innovative technology to market," said Cary Vance, Executive Vice President, Teleflex North America. "The PICC WAND provides significant benefits to both patients and caregivers and is an outstanding addition to our vascular access product portfolio."

Steve Bierman, M.D., CEO of Access Scientific said, "Having now seen The PICC WAND in operation, in some of the most challenging cases, I can assert without any doubt that the Accelerated Seldinger Technique establishes a new standard of care. Both patients and healthcare workers benefit significantly from the Wand's safety and efficiency features." He continued, "Access Scientific is proud to be introducing this game changing technology with our partner, Teleflex."

The PICC WAND will be available as a stand alone product and inside new ergonomically designed PICC kits from Teleflex. These new kits include a pressure injectable PICC line as well as maximal barrier and sharps safety components that reduce the risk of infection and accidental needle sticks.