Press Releases

Kimberly-Clark Launches Microcuff Endotracheal Tube

ROSWELL, Ga. – Nov. 21, 2006 – Kimberly-Clark announced today the launch of the KIMBERLY-CLARK MICROCUFF Endotracheal Tube, an airway management device designed to reduce the leakage of potentially infectious secretions into the lungs. The excellent sealing capability of the MICROCUFF Endotracheal Tube is created by its unique cuff made with an advanced micro-thin polyurethane material.

The leakage of secretions past the cuff, or micro-aspiration, is considered a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP is a major clinical concern in hospitals and is associated with high incidence rates, mortality rates and increased costs, including:

Approximately 8-28 percent of critical care patients on mechanical ventilators develop VAP

• Hospital-associated pneumonia patients have a mortality rate of 20-33 percent
• VAP increases patient time in the ICU by 4- 6 days and adds an average cost of $20,000-40,000 per incident

"In the fight against Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), we're focused on identifying clinical areas that, if addressed, can have a significant impact on reducing infections and improving patient outcomes," said John Amat, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Kimberly-Clark Health Care. "VAP accounts for up to 60 percent of all HAI deaths and reducing the risk of VAP begins by protecting the lungs from infectious secretions."

Effective tracheal seal at low cuff pressure

While conventional PVC cuffs create folds and channels when inflated which allow fluid to leak past the cuff, the cuff on the MICROCUFF Endotracheal Tube minimizes those channel openings and creates an effective tracheal seal. The cuff length and shape of MICROCUFF Endotracheal Tubes are also designed for better contact with tracheal contours to increase protection against fluid leakage.

Long-term ET tube placement can sometimes expose patients to additional risks of trauma to airway tissues. The MICROCUFF Endotracheal tube's cuff seals the airway at low pressures, reducing the risk of tracheal trauma in intubated patients. Additional features of the tube include:

Effective seal at a low cuff pressure to reduce the risk of mucosal damage

• Microthin polyurethane cuff material allows for greater visualization of vocal cords when cuff is deflated to ensure proper placement of the tube
• Puncture strength and burst pressure of the MICROCUFF tube's cuff are almost double that of conventional PVC cuffs

VAP solution bundle

Because there are multiple risk factors leading to VAP, Kimberly-Clark is committed to providing clinicians with a range of innovative, effective clinical solutions and best practice education to address VAP. Kimberly-Clark's product bundle includes its market leading BALLARD TRACH CARE Closed Suction Systems for suctioning secretions from the airway without disconnecting the ventilator circuit, BAL-CATH System to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of VAP, and a variety of oral care products.

At Kimberly-Clark, our mission is to deliver clinical solutions that you can depend on to meet the demands of your fast paced world. Whether your needs involve preventing healthcare-associated infections, surgical and digestive health solutions, or pain management, with Kimberly-Clark you'll always have one less worry.

To learn more about the Kimberly-Clark Microcuff Endotracheal Tube or for more information about any of the solutions in the VAP bundle, please visit www.kchealthcare.com/microcuff/.

Kimberly-Clark in the Health Care Environment

Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a wide portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. With over $1 billion in annual revenue in its health care business, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 and No. 2 market share positions in several categories including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management and digestive health. Throughout the care continuum, patients and staff alike trust Kimberly-Clark medical supplies and devices. For more information, please visit www.kchealthcare.com.