While connectors may have once been one of the most overlooked components of a medical device, the number of patient injuries associated with medical tubing misconnections has caught the attention of the International Standards Organization (ISO).
Value Plastics, manufacturer of plastic tube fittings, is one of only a few connector companies worldwide actively participating on ISO 80369 committees. To provide an information source in one web location, they have decided to provide information to keep the medical device community apprised of new developments.
While connectors may have once been one of the most overlooked components of a medical device, the number of patient injuries associated with medical tubing misconnections has caught the attention of the International Standards Organization (ISO). In conjunction with a number of other driving forces (AAMI, FDA, EN, JCAHO, WHO and even states such as California), ISO has deemed it necessary to develop standards intended to reduce future tubing misconnections in healthcare/hospital environments.
"Compliance with the ISO 80369 standard may require major changes on the part of medical device manufacturers. They may have to design their instruments using tubing connectors that comply with the new standards, and manufacturers may have to retrofit existing devices in the marketplace. In the next few years, if these standards are approved it could mean new designs, new parts, new moldings and updating or replacing millions of components," states Chuck Philipp, Value Plastics' Vice President of Business Development, and active ISO 80369 participant.
To read the latest updates, subscribe to alerts, and view related resources, go to http://www.valueplastics.com/products/iso_80369.aspx
Value Plastics, Inc. makes and markets an innovative line of fluid management components designed specifically for flexible tubing. Products designed and manufactured include quick connect fittings, luer fittings, check valves, tube-to-tube fittings, threaded fittings and blood pressure monitoring components. Value Plastics products find global application in demanding healthcare OEM, research and specialty industrial applications.
For further information, please contact Will Stone, Marketing Communications Manager, at (970) 267-5221 or [email protected] .
Value Plastics, Inc., 3325 South Timberline Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, phone (970) 267-5200, toll free in U.S.A. (888) 404-5837, fax (970) 223-0953, http://www.valueplastics.com.
